🎙️ The Success Talk Show – Episode 98
"Creativity Rooted in Culture"
Featuring Mr. Ranjit Mohanty – Animator, Filmmaker, Storyteller
In the 98th episode of The Success Talk Show, we had the privilege of speaking with Mr. Ranjit Mohanty, an acclaimed animation expert, content creator, and cultural ambassador who has dedicated his life to meaningful storytelling. With a career spanning major Indian cities and a heart rooted in his homeland of Odisha, Ranjit’s journey is one of courage, culture, and creative evolution.
🌱 Early Life and Creative Spark
Mr. Mohanty's love for storytelling and visual expression began early in life. He started his career in the bustling hubs of Mumbai and Delhi, where he was exposed to the intricacies of filmmaking, animation, and media production. These early years were filled with learning, experimentation, and the hustle of finding one’s place in a competitive industry.
But what truly set Ranjit apart was his longing to bring stories from his roots—Odisha—to the forefront. His decision to move back to Bhubaneswar was a turning point. It was not just a relocation, but a reconnection with identity and purpose.
🎨 Odisha: The Cultural Canvas
Ranjit passionately spoke about Odisha's immense contribution to Indian art and culture. From classical dance forms to intricate sculpture, from soulful music to heritage painting styles—Odisha, he says, is a living gallery of creativity.
He referenced the deeply inspiring lines of the national anthem “Utkal”, which celebrates the soul of the Odia people and their artistic excellence. According to him, real creativity flows when it is rooted in heritage, and this connection became the heartbeat of his future projects.
💡 Redefining Success
A major highlight of the episode was Ranjit’s perspective on success. He emphasized that success isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. Everyone defines it differently—some by fame, others by inner peace, legacy, or creative impact.
He referenced Kal Subrata, a well-known figure from Odisha, who in his book defined four types of successful individuals. Inspired by this classification, Ranjit believes that real success lies in staying true to one’s path, whether that’s through recognition, contribution, or personal satisfaction.
🌪️ Failure: A Silent Mentor
Ranjit doesn’t shy away from failure—in fact, he embraces it. For him, failure is not a roadblock but a redirection. He shared how his early attempts in the industry didn’t always go as planned. Yet, each setback carved a better version of him—stronger, wiser, more focused.
He offered a profound thought: “Those who have failed often have deeper wisdom than those who’ve never stumbled.” In a world obsessed with success stories, he urged listeners to learn from those who have struggled—because their experiences can offer real-world insights that are rarely found in textbooks.
🛤️ A Personal Journey of Grit
Ranjit opened up about his journey in the 1990s—a time of ambition but also significant personal responsibility. Due to family needs, he shifted to Delhi, which initially felt like a detour from his creative dreams. However, this chapter turned out to be a crucial building block in his life.
From working behind the scenes to learning from industry stalwarts, Ranjit used every opportunity to fuel his artistic vision. He credited many mentors along the way who not only guided him professionally but also shaped his character and worldview.
🎞️ Building an Animation Studio in Bhubaneswar
Returning to Odisha, Ranjit took a bold leap—he founded an animation studio with the vision of training local artists and reviving classical animation techniques. But the road wasn’t easy. There were financial hurdles, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to skilled talent.
What made his initiative unique was the inclusive model—offering free or affordable training to passionate young artists. The idea wasn’t just to produce content but to build a community of storytellers who could represent Odisha’s soul on a global stage.
His studio prioritized classical animation, an almost-forgotten art in the age of 3D and AI. Ranjit believes that traditional techniques carry a certain emotion and essence that modern tools often lack.
🏰 Inspiration from Walt Disney
One name kept resurfacing during the conversation—Walt Disney. For Ranjit, Disney is not just an animator or entrepreneur, but a visionary who transformed imagination into a movement.
He admires Disney’s ability to make people feel something profound through characters, visuals, and stories. That emotional depth is what Ranjit strives to achieve in his own work. He shared that even today, watching Disney films reignites his childlike wonder and strengthens his resolve to tell heartfelt stories.