Sabyasachi Mishra consoles the kin of Hara Patnaik. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Jan. 14: The city came to a stand still on Wednesday when local residents bid adieu to the man they had long admired despite his negative character portrayals.

Veteran actor-director Hara Patnaik was definitely a successful villain in many films but the love and admiration he earned from his fans was evident in the turnout at Satichoura area where hundreds gathered to pay him their last tribute.

The 57-year-old film star passed away yesterday at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar due to protracted blood cancer.

From early morning, people, including members of the Odia film fraternity, started to throng Patnaik’s residence at Bidanasi. They carried his body in a procession to various places across the city including Odisha Motion Pictures Technicians and Workers Association, Annapurna theatre and Kala Vikash Kendra. Many also paid homage at the Union Club where the actor used to spend his leisure time. Veteran actors such as Bijay Mohanty, Mihir Das and many young actors joined the procession.

“People of the state will always remember Hara Patnaik for his negative roles on screen. However, he had been a fighter. Despite suffering from blood cancer, he continued to entertain the audience. He has inspired people to live life as it comes,” said Sudhakar Panda, a resident of Tulasipur.

Fans walk behind the hearse of Hara Patnaik in Cuttack

Patnaik had debuted in the film Sahari Bagha in 1985 and soon became a popular villain unleashing terror on screen. He has acted in many films and directed around 20 movies. Daiba Daudi that was his first directorial venture.

After initially recovery from cancer, he had made a comeback as the director of Om Sai Ram in 2012.

As a director, he had given several actors such as Anubhav Mohanty, Babushan and Sabyasachi their first big break in movies.

“Hara Patnaik was a versatile actor who enjoyed his work. His tragic death is certainly a loss for the film industry,” said Debiprasad Mishra, school and mass education minister, who was also present for the last rites of Patnaik.