“I have been calling and texting but have not been able to get in touch with you yet. A minor squabble between two stars has divided the state. The issue is also being politicised, which is not good. I personally request you to forget all that has happened. We both have suffered financial losses because of the conflict. Let bygones and be bygones. Let’s sit down and sort out the differences. Let’s work together again and get back to the good old days,” he said.

He further said when there is no letter mentioning his ban, the controversy is an non-issue. “The situation has come to such a pass that people are cursing the Odia film industry. It is our responsibility to save our industry and make good films,” he said, adding that the entire incident has pained him.

Arindam added that he is ready to reach out to him to resolve the issue.

In his response, Manoj admitted to having not taken his calls. “I fail to understand what exactly you want to discuss with me. I have never opposed your film ‘Ram’ and have asked none to boycott it. Without any proof, Tutu Nayak and company said they would ban me because of which ‘Mindgame’ was pulled out of several theatres, causing losses to my producer, while it is going house full in Bargarh in the fourth week,” he said in a video message.

The actor said that Tutu Nayak should first reveal the reason behind his ban to people of Odisha and then ensure that ‘Mindgame’ is back in theatres across the state since “he is said to have a hold over the distribution system”.

Manoj ended his video asserting that he has never opposed Arindam’s film.

It was alleged that Manoj had a personal tiff with actor Jitu Mangaraj, who also featured in the film ‘Ram’, and engineered the demonstration in cinema halls in Sambalpur, called for its ban. “We discussed the issue at a meeting here and got enough evidence that Manoj Mishra is mainly responsible for the protest against the film ‘Ram’ in Sambalpur. Hence, all producers decided to not sign Manoj Mishra in their future projects for two years,” said Utkal Cine Chambers of Commerce (UCCC) president Sanjay Nayak.

Following the ban, senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra warned of division of Odisha due to intolerant attitude of the actors of coastal region. BJP MLA Nauri Nayak also condemned it. “The ban on Manoj reflects the real colour of the coastal people. They are jealous of the success of any person from western Odisha. The actors from coastal Odisha are unable to accept the success of Manoj’s film ‘Mindgame’,” he said.

He demanded immediate withdrawal of the 2-year ban imposed by UCCC.

After Congress, now BJP expressed solidarity with the actor and demanded the immediate lifting of the ban.

“The ban on actor Manoj Mishra clearly shows the attitude of coastal people towards western Odisha. The whole controversy started after Manoj Mishra’s film ‘Mind Game’ did well both in Odisha and became critically acclaimed both in the national level. So, I condemn the ban put on him and request the producers to immediately revoke it,” BJP MLA Nauri Nayak said.

“Most importantly, Kuna Tripathy who is also from western Odisha, has remained silent all this while. The matter would not have escalated this far if he had intervened and solved it at the earliest. So, I want to send a message to Kuna Tripathy, if he really is from western Odisha and loves the people, then he should immediately resolve the issue,” he added.

Earlier, BJP MLA Mukesh Mahaling also had demanded the revocation of the ban on the actor. He lambasted actor Anubhav Mohanty and the ruling BJD and asked them to learn something from PM Modi under whose leadership Odia artists have won the Padma Shri Awards.

On the other hand, actor Jitu Mangaraj has accused Manoj Mishra of sowing the seed of hatred in the Odia film industry.

“Western Odisha has produced so many talented actors and the industry is proud of them all. I respect them all. I have never spoken a word against western Odisha. So, I request Manoj Mishra not to divide the state for his own personal gains,” Jitu said.

“If proven wrong, I will beg apology to all the people of Odisha and fans. The matter will be solved if ego is put aside,” he added.

No comments could be obtained from Manoj Mishra in this regard.