Odia actor-director Hara Patnaik cremated

Odia actor and director Hara Patnaik was today cremated, after an emotional farewell by legions of his fans, film actors and relatives.

Patnaik's nephew Anirudh lit the funeral pyre at Satichoura crematorium in the presence of his two daughters Arya and Ananya.

The 56-year-old actor, who was suffering from blood cancer for past several years, died in a private hospital here yesterday.

Later his body was kept at his house in the city where hundreds of his fans, film personalities and other eminent persons paid their last respects.

Patnaik had mesmerised the audience with his powerful negative roles on stage, theatre and screen for over three decades.