Uttam Kumar and Madhabi Mukherjee

Uttam Kumar and Madhabi Mukherjee

Uttam Kumar had acted almost all the leading actresses of Bengali films in the 50s, 60s and 70s. His films opposite Suchitra Sen, Supriya Debi, Arundhuti Debi, Sabitri Chatterji became evergreen hits in those days. Even the films opposite Madhabi Mukherjee became extremely successful.

The films Shonkhobela had stormed Bengali films in 1966. Uttam Kumar was a successful industrialist who married Madhabi Mukherjee and had a small son. But his ambitions had led to getting addicted with alcohol and involved in parties.

Madhabi Mukherjee could not stand the life of Uttam Kumar and stayed separately with her son. The son got extremely sick and was cured by Doctor played by Bosonto Choudhury. Bosonto Choudhury reformed Uttam Kumar and advised him to take care of his family. Manna Dey sung the songs “ami agantuk ami barta dilam” and “ke pratham kache esechi” for Uttam Kumar. The songs composed by Sudhin Dasgupta including “aaj mon cheyeche” sung by Lata Mangeshkar became superhit.

Both of them played their roles well in the comedy film Choddobeshi. Uttam Kumar was a Professor of Botany who concealed his identity and went to Allahabad as the driver of Bikash Roy the sister’s husband of Madhabi. He concealed his identity till the end of the film and asked Subhendu Chatterji to pretend as the Professor. The identity was disclosed at the end of the film after creating anxiety in the minds of Bikash Roy, Anubha Gupta and others. The songs in the film sung by Manna Dey like “ami kon pathe je choli”, “bachao ke acho” composed by Sudhin Dasgupta became super hit. The film was remade in hindi with the tile Chupke Chupke, where Dharmender played the role of Uttam Kumar and Sharmila Tagore played the role of Madhabi.

Their film Agnissar was also successful. Uttam Kumar played the role of a doctor during colonial rule who had helped many freedom fighters and lived a life based on string principles. Madhabi was his wife who died due to sickness. Uttam Kumar treated many patients free of cost and died at the end of the film after creating fame among people all across the country. The films should be restored and preserved for the new generation.