When he started, he did not know where it would take him. Over four months after he started, he still does not know where it would take him. But one thing Sabysachi Mishra, ‘Sabya’ to those who know him, does know is he is in it for good. The popular Odia cine actor has given his heart and soul, and almost all his time and money, to what has become both a mission and a passion for him: coming to the aid of those hit by the enormous and seemingly unending coronavirus crisis in various ways.
It all started in March, when he started helping people with medical supplies. Later, it involved providing ration to people in distress, and arranging transport for people, including students, stranded outside the state. Of late, however, the requests for help come from wives abandoned by their husbands, those without smartphones who have heard about his pioneering work from others and so on. The actor says he receives about 500 calls/messages a day on an average seeking help, of which he is able to attend to 100-150. But he makes it a point to take screenshots of all requests made and saves them in different folders on the basis of their priority so he can address the less important ones after a few days. All this takes up almost all his waking hours, leaving him with precious little time to do anything else. But he has managed to do the unthinkable by shooting for a film Lucky ra Lockdown Love Story, the only Odia film that has gone on floors since the Covid crisis started, while pursuing his mission. “When I was offered this role, I was in a dilemma whether to accept it. But I finally decided to accept it because I thought it would give me some money, which I can put to good use in doing what I am doing,” he tells Outlook.
The actor has already spent over Rs 20 lakh from his pocket. He has also received contributions from friends and well-wishers.
Asked how long he can continue doing what he is doing, Sabyasachi says, “Frankly, I don’t know. But the work I am doing has given me greater satisfaction than anything I have done before, including acting. Even after the corona crisis, I intend to continue working for people in distress.”
With the goodwill and popularity he has gained for his work since March, it is only to be expected that political parties would approach him some day. But Sabyasachi is clear that he is not going to join politics. “Never. Politics is simply not my cup of tea. I sincerely believe every politician should be a social worker. But every social worker need not be a politician,” he says.
By Sandeep Sahu in Bhubaneswar