File picture of Siddhant Mohapatra campaigning in his constituency

The Odia film fraternity is all set to rejoice the return of most of the actors to the tinsel town, who had taken a plunge into politics, since most of these political debutantes either lost or are on their way to lose from their respective constituencies.

Among celebrities, BJD picks veteran actor and politician Siddhant Mohapatra and young actor Akash Das Nayak are close to success. In fact, among new faces from filmdom to politics, Das Nayak is the only one to have led by numbers during counting.

While Mohapatra is leading way ahead and is sure to cement a victory from Berhampur for Lok Sabha, new entrant to politics Das Nayak, who was contesting for the state Assembly seat from Korei, was leading by a high margin even as counting was in progress till late afternoon on Friday.

“During my numerous visits to my constituency, the people were kind enough to build a good rapport with me and be open about their issues and expectations. I am extremely thankful to them for their amazing support and will do my best to deliver all promises,” said Das Nayak.

However, BJD’s gamble on immensely popular comedian Tatwa Prakash Satpathy, better known as Pappu Pom Pom, who was their candidate for the Champua Assembly seat, was on his way to losing badly. “I have no regrets for having contested. I am always content with what life brings,” said the comedian.

Among other big names were two veteran artistes, Bijay Mohanty and Aparajita Mohanty, who were candidates from Congress for Bhubaneswar and Cuttack Lok Sabha seats. Both were way behind till the last update on counting.

“I was not anxious or worried about the results and now that they are clear I have not lost heart at all. I was given a great opportunity to serve the public by my party and I will continue to be active as a member in the party,” said Bijay Mohanty.

Among celebrities other than film stars, former national team hockey captain Dilip Tirkey, who was a member of the Rajya Sabha from BJD, contested from Sundergarh for the Lok Sabha seat this time. He seemed to be doing well till the afternoon, but later in the evening the figures suggested that he was trailing.