Sadhu Meher is a National Award winning actor of Hindi and Orissa movies. He won National award for best actor for the movie Ankoor, released in the year 1974. It was the first feature film directed by Shyam Benegal and the debut of Indian actors Shabana Azmi and Anant Nag. Sadhu played the role of a deaf-mute Dalit alcoholic potter who communicates using gestures in this land mark movie of Hindi cinema. Sadhu is a very popular actor of Oriya movies, yet he has appeared in a few Bengali and Hindi movies also, particularly with Shyam Benegal. He worked in Shyam Benegal movies like Nishaant and Manthan also. He is always regarded as a great actor of parallel cinema and a popular choice of Shyam Benegal and Mrinal Sen. He played supporting roles in most of these movies.He was awarded Padma Shri by the President of India in the year 2017.

Sadhu’s first noted appearance was National award winning movie of the year 1969 – Bhuvan Shome. This movie won all the three best category awards of best film, best director and best actor. After that he appeared in a couple of films, Ichhapuran and 27 Down till Manthan happened to him in 1974. This experimental movie became one of the landmark movies of Indian cinema. Leading roles were played by Shabana Azmi and Anant Nag. Sadhu Meher played supporting role. His character name was Kishtaya. He did Special Appearance in the movie Nishant.Memorable roles of Sadhu Meher are - Safed Haathi, Inkaar, Abhimaan (1977), Bali Ghara, Debshishu, Bhukha, Pratimurti, Uttoran, Gharaonda, Kasturi, Mrigayaa, Charachar, Shesha Drushti, Seeta Raati, Aparichita and Desire. During late 90’s and 2000’s, he appeared in a few movies like Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain, Jai Jagannatha, Patth, 30 days and Forgotten Showers. He has also directed a few movies though were not noted, except Aparachita. Abhimaan, Gopa Re Badhhuchhi Kala Kanhe, Desire and Babula are the rest few movies.