Urmila Mahanta

Urmila Mahanta
Mahanta at the music launch of Purab Ki Aawaz in May 2016
Born	Sonapur, Assam, India
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2012–present

Urmila Mahanta is an Indian actress. A student of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, Mahanta appeared in various plays, short films and television series, before making her feature film debut in the critically acclaimed 2012 Tamil crime thriller Vazhakku Enn 18/9. She has acted in Hindi, Assamese, Bengali and Malayalam films.

Mahanta was born to Giridhar Mahanta and Ramala Mahanta in Sonapur, Assam; she has three siblings, Jutika Mahanta, Munmi Mahanta and Munindra Mahanta. Mahanta did her entire schooling in Sonapur and later graduated from Dimoria College in Khetri, Kamrup. Mahanta spent her major part of life in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and then went on to enroll at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

Mahanta had been acting in plays since her childhood and won many awards. Afterwards, she was featured in several television serials such as Murder and Tejimola for Doordarshan (NE), which were followed by appearances in various critically acclaimed short films including Aaliya, that won the Special Critic Award at the 2012 Mumbai International Film Festival, Their Story and Cheng Kurthy. Mahanta was also seen in Assamese singer Tarali Sarma's album Henguliya.

While attending the International Film Festival of India at Goa, she was spotted and selected among few others following a lengthy process lasting two years including multiple auditions conducted by director Balaji Sakthivel for his drama-thriller Vazhakku Enn 18/9. Mahanta has received notable praise for portraying the character of a slum dweller, Jyothi, who works as a housemaid. The Times of India critic M. Suganth wrote: "It is Urmila Mahanta's understated performance as Jothi that is the film's pivot". Similarly, a reviewer from IndiaGlitz.com noted that Mahanta was "impressive as a short poetry on screen", further adding that she "bubbles with energy and emotes at ease", while another critic quoted: "Urmila is a treat to watch. She delivers what Balaji Sakthivel wants from her. She is cool and passes the test with ease and elan". The film itself received widespread acclaim, with reviewers calling it "excellent", a "must-watch", and even "the film of the year". Mahanta ultimately went on to state that Vazhakku Enn 18/9 was the best decision she had ever made.