Veteran Ollywood cinematographer Dilip Ray, who shaped Odia cinema with his artistry, passed away at 72 while undergoing treatment in Bhubaneswar on Friday night.
Ray suffered a brain stroke earlier this week and was admitted to a private hospital. Despite medical care, he breathed his last, leaving behind his wife and three daughters. His final rites will be performed at Swargadwar in Puri, where family, friends, and film fraternity members will pay their respects.
Born in Cuttack on July 27, 1954, Ray studied cinematography at the Film and Television Institute in Bengaluru before entering the Odia film industry. Over decades, he worked on more than 80 Odia films, including classics like Trisandhya, Bhagya Hate Dori, Suna Sansar, Jibanasathi, Bastraharan, and Lakshman Rekha. His lens captured both critically acclaimed and commercially successful productions.
Ray also contributed to Chhattisgarhi and Bengali cinema, showcasing his versatility across regional industries. Before retirement, he worked with Doordarshan, enriching Odisha’s television storytelling.
His demise has cast a shadow over Ollywood. Filmmakers, actors, and technicians remembered him as a gifted cinematographer whose work defined an era of Odia cinema. Tributes poured in, celebrating his immense contribution to film and television.
