Happy birth anniversary to Mahanayak Uttam Kumar

Superstar Uttam Kumar was remembered on his birth anniversary on 3rd September, 2026. In 2014 Actor-turned-MPs Dev and Moon Moon Sen would be felicitated with the Mahanayak and Mahanayika Samman, the highest film award given by the West Bengal government. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will give the annual 'Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Samman' at Nazrul Mancha stadium tomorrow to felicitate the actors and technicians of the Bengali film industry. On her Facebook page, Banerjee said veteran actress Mousumi Chatterjee and reigning Bengali film superstar Dev will be the recipients of this year's 'Mahanayak Samman' while Moonmoon Sen will receive the 'Mahanayika Samman'. Both Dev and Sen had won the recent Lok Sabha polls on a Trinamool ticket. The awards were instituted in the year 2012 in the memory of the legendary actor 'Mahanayak' Uttam Kumar. Actor-director-producer Arindam Sil will be conferred with Special Film Award (Acting). Special Film Awards will also be presented to actors like Paoli Dam, Hiran Chatterjee, Abir Chatterjee, Indranil Sengupta, Kharaj Mukherjee, Rudranil Ghosh and others. Veterans of Bengali film industry like Chiranjeet Chakraborty, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Mamata Shankar and Debashree Roy will be feted with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Veteran playback artiste Kumar Sanu will be felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award for Music (playback Singer) while Special Film Awards (Music Director) will be presented to Sivaji Chattopadhyay, Arundhati Home Chowdhury and Adhir Chatterjee. Nispal Rane on behalf of Surinder Films will get Special Film award for the best producer. Special film award for direction will be given to Swapan Saha, Kamaleshwar Mukherjee and Prodipto Bhattacharyya. 50 actors had been awarded the Mahanayak Uttam Kumar award on his death anniversary on 24th July, 2013. Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee had started the awards in the memory of the greatest superstar of Bengal Mahanayak Uttam Kumar. Madhabi Mukherjee, Dipankar Dey, Ranjit Mullick and Sandhya Roy had been given lifetime achievement award. Incidentally Madhabi Mukherjee had acted in many super hit films of Uttam Kumar like Shankhabela, Choddobeshi, Agnisshar, etc. and Sandhya Roy had acted in many hit films of Uttam Kumar like Mayamrigo, Surjotapa. Director Goutam Ghosh had also been granted lifetime achievement award. Actors Partho Mukherjee, Chinmoy Roy, directors Sandip Ray, Raj Chakravarty, Sujit Saha, Koushik Ganguly and Srijit Mukherjee are given special awards. Actors Tapas Pal and Prasenjit Chatterjee are given Mahanayak Samman. Actors Saswata Chatterjee and Parambrata Chatterjee are given special awards. Film Producing companies are also awarded and felicitated including RD Bansal and Company, Arora Films, Shri Venkatesh films, New Theatres, to name a few. He had died almost 33 years ago, yet the viewers had not forgotten his films and still his presence is felt in the life bengalies in different parts of the world. In 2011 the Governer of West Bengal launched the 50 rupees postal stamp having the engraving of Uttam Kumar in it. Previously Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar’s faces were engraved in Postal stamps for remembering their contribution to Indian cinema.

Happy birth anniversary to Mahanayak Uttam Kumarsahab

Superstar Uttam Kumar was remembered on his birth anniversary on 3rd September, 2026. In 2014 Actor-turned-MPs Dev and Moon Moon Sen would be felicitated with the Mahanayak and Mahanayika Samman, the highest film award given by the West Bengal government. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will give the annual 'Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Samman' at Nazrul Mancha stadium tomorrow to felicitate the actors and technicians of the Bengali film industry. On her Facebook page, Banerjee said veteran actress Mousumi Chatterjee and reigning Bengali film superstar Dev will be the recipients of this year's 'Mahanayak Samman' while Moonmoon Sen will receive the 'Mahanayika Samman'. Both Dev and Sen had won the recent Lok Sabha polls on a Trinamool ticket. The awards were instituted in the year 2012 in the memory of the legendary actor 'Mahanayak' Uttam Kumar. Actor-director-producer Arindam Sil will be conferred with Special Film Award (Acting). Special Film Awards will also be presented to actors like Paoli Dam, Hiran Chatterjee, Abir Chatterjee, Indranil Sengupta, Kharaj Mukherjee, Rudranil Ghosh and others. Veterans of Bengali film industry like Chiranjeet Chakraborty, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Mamata Shankar and Debashree Roy will be feted with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Veteran playback artiste Kumar Sanu will be felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award for Music (playback Singer) while Special Film Awards (Music Director) will be presented to Sivaji Chattopadhyay, Arundhati Home Chowdhury and Adhir Chatterjee. Nispal Rane on behalf of Surinder Films will get Special Film award for the best producer. Special film award for direction will be given to Swapan Saha, Kamaleshwar Mukherjee and Prodipto Bhattacharyya. 50 actors had been awarded the Mahanayak Uttam Kumar award on his death anniversary on 24th July, 2013. Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee had started the awards in the memory of the greatest superstar of Bengal Mahanayak Uttam Kumar. Madhabi Mukherjee, Dipankar Dey, Ranjit Mullick and Sandhya Roy had been given lifetime achievement award. Incidentally Madhabi Mukherjee had acted in many super hit films of Uttam Kumar like Shankhabela, Choddobeshi, Agnisshar, etc. and Sandhya Roy had acted in many hit films of Uttam Kumar like Mayamrigo, Surjotapa. Director Goutam Ghosh had also been granted lifetime achievement award. Actors Partho Mukherjee, Chinmoy Roy, directors Sandip Ray, Raj Chakravarty, Sujit Saha, Koushik Ganguly and Srijit Mukherjee are given special awards. Actors Tapas Pal and Prasenjit Chatterjee are given Mahanayak Samman. Actors Saswata Chatterjee and Parambrata Chatterjee are given special awards. Film Producing companies are also awarded and felicitated including RD Bansal and Company, Arora Films, Shri Venkatesh films, New Theatres, to name a few. He had died almost 33 years ago, yet the viewers had not forgotten his films and still his presence is felt in the life bengalies in different parts of the world. In 2011 the Governer of West Bengal launched the 50 rupees postal stamp having the engraving of Uttam Kumar in it. Previously Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar’s faces were engraved in Postal stamps for remembering their contribution to Indian cinema.

Mahanayak superstar Uttam Kumar would have got many more national awards had they started earlier

Uttam Kumar would have got more national awards had it started earlier.

The national awards for best actor started in 1967. Uttam Kumar received the best actor award for his splendid performance in the film Chiriakhana and Antony Firingi released in the same year.

It is a pity that the national awards for the best actor were started so late. Otherwise superstar Uttam Kumar could have won many more awards. Firstly his performance in the film Saheb Bibi Ghulam could have been considered for the award. He played the role of Bhootnath who was the observer in the film who witnessed the downfall of zamindari in North Calcutta during British regime. The same character was played by Guru Dutt in the bollywood film Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam.

Uttam Kumar’s performance in the film Harano Sur would have been considered for award. He played the role of big industrialist in Ajoy Kar’s classic film who lost his memory, married Suchitra Sen, and then forgot her after meeting with another accident. The film was considered as one of the greatest blockbusters of Bengali cinema.

Uttam Kumar won the BFJA award for the best actor for his brilliant performance in the film Saptapadi in 1961. He played the role of Krishnendu Mukherjee, an eminent doctor, who fell in love with Suchitra Sen, who was a Christian, but as his father Chabi Biswas stood in the way of inter-religious marriage, he sacrificed his life for the cause of victims of 2nd world war. Uttam Kumar’s performance could very well qualify for national award.

Uttam Kumar was equally brilliant in Tapan Sinha’s historical film Jhinder Bandi. He played a double role showing the bravery of rajput prince. Uttam Kumar was sublime in his performance in the films Thana Theke Aschi, Jotugriha, Nayak and Shankhabela.

Had these films being released after 1967, Uttam Kumar would have got more number of national awards. Firstly he was the automatic choice of all the legendary directors of Bengal, namely Satyajit Ray, Tapan Sinha, Ajoy Kar, Harishadhon Dasgupta, Agradoot, Agragami, Salil Sen, Salil Dutta, to name a few. Secondly, his films were path-breaking classics, which remained in the hearts of numerous filmlovers across the country. The films should be revived as each of them had become work of art over the years.

Sharmila Tagoreji said superstar Uttam Kumar was the greatest matinee idol who graced bengali celluloid

Sharmila Tagore. Sharmila Tagore once again came as guest judge in Zee Bangla Mirakkel Program on 6th March, 2012. Mir Afsar Ali asked him her experience of acting with Uttam Kumar. She said that Satyajit Ray said that if Uttam Kumar would have declined to act in the film Nayak, he would not have made the film at all. She said her first commercial film in Bengal was Shesh Anka, opposite superstar Uttam Kumar. She said was amazed to see Uttam Kumar’s directorial capability in the film Kalangini Kankabati. She was spellbound in the way Uttam Kumar explained the character in the film Kalangini Kankabati. The respect for Uttam Kumar just increased and increased. At the end she said Uttam Kumar was the greatest Bengali actor ever to have been born. Mir asked her which was the best shooting spot in India where Sharmila had acted. Sharmila answered that Shillong was the best place. She acted with Dev Anand in the film Ye Gulistan Hamara and the shooting took place in Shillong. She could not forget the experience. She said she would have been happy if the film Safar would have been remade. If it was remade then Vidya Balan would have been the ideal actress who could have acted in the film.

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Superstar Uttam Kumar the mahanayak of bengal is remembered on death anniversary

Uttam Kumar’s death anniversary brings great memories of the superstar of Bengal. Again, 24th July, 2026 will bring memories of Mahanayak Uttam Kumar. Superstar Uttam Kumar was remembered on his birth anniversary on 3rd September, 2023. Actor-turned-MPs Dev and Moon Moon Sen would be felicitated with the Mahanayak and Mahanayika Samman, the highest film award given by the West Bengal government. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will give the annual 'Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Samman' at Nazrul Mancha stadium tomorrow to felicitate the actors and technicians of the Bengali film industry. On her Facebook page, Banerjee said veteran actress Mousumi Chatterjee and reigning Bengali film superstar Dev will be the recipients of this year's 'Mahanayak Samman' while Moonmoon Sen will receive the 'Mahanayika Samman'. Both Dev and Sen had won the recent Lok Sabha polls on a Trinamool ticket. The awards were instituted in the year 2012 in the memory of the legendary actor 'Mahanayak' Uttam Kumar. Actor-director-producer Arindam Sil will be conferred with Special Film Award (Acting). Special Film Awards will also be presented to actors like Paoli Dam, Hiran Chatterjee, Abir Chatterjee, Indranil Sengupta, Kharaj Mukherjee, Rudranil Ghosh and others. Veterans of Bengali film industry like Chiranjeet Chakraborty, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Mamata Shankar and Debashree Roy will be feted with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Veteran playback artiste Kumar Sanu will be felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award for Music (playback Singer) while Special Film Awards (Music Director) will be presented to Sivaji Chattopadhyay, Arundhati Home Chowdhury and Adhir Chatterjee. Nispal Rane on behalf of Surinder Films will get Special Film award for the best producer. Special film award for direction will be given to Swapan Saha, Kamaleshwar Mukherjee and Prodipto Bhattacharyya. 50 actors had been awarded the Mahanayak Uttam Kumar award on his death anniversary on 24th July, 2013. Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee had started the awards in the memory of the greatest superstar of Bengal Mahanayak Uttam Kumar. Madhabi Mukherjee, Dipankar Dey, Ranjit Mullick and Sandhya Roy had been given lifetime achievement award. Incidentally Madhabi Mukherjee had acted in many super hit films of Uttam Kumar like Shankhabela, Choddobeshi, Agnisshar, etc. and Sandhya Roy had acted in many hit films of Uttam Kumar like Mayamrigo, Surjotapa. Director Goutam Ghosh had also been granted lifetime achievement award. Actors Partho Mukherjee, Chinmoy Roy, directors Sandip Ray, Raj Chakravarty, Sujit Saha, Koushik Ganguly and Srijit Mukherjee are given special awards. Actors Tapas Pal and Prasenjit Chatterjee are given Mahanayak Samman. Actors Saswata Chatterjee and Parambrata Chatterjee are given special awards. Film Producing companies are also awarded and felicitated including RD Bansal and Company, Arora Films, Shri Venkatesh films, New Theatres, to name a few. He had died almost 33 years ago, yet the viewers had not forgotten his films and still his presence is felt in the life bengalies in different parts of the world. In 2011 the Governer of West Bengal launched the 50 rupees postal stamp having the engraving of Uttam Kumar in it. Previously Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar’s faces were engraved in Postal stamps for remembering their contribution to Indian cinema. Last year, Mamta Banerjee, the Union Railway Minister, renamed the Tollygunge Metro Station as Mahanayak Uttam Kumar station. In 2011, the walls of the Tollygunge Metro Station had been filled with the pictures of films of Uttam Kumar. In fact the people of Tollygunge cannot associate the place without the existence of Uttam Kumar whose works glorified the different studios which carried on the legacy of Bengali Film Industry. Mamta Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal had also provided support to revive the Uttam Mancha and take care of Shilpi Sangsad, an organization created by Mahanayak Uttam Kumar to help the needy actors, actresses, technicians, etc. Oscar winning director Satyajit Ray acknowledged the dynamic presence of the legendary superstar in Bengali films and made a film Nayak in 1966 based on the story of Uttam Kumar. His original name was Arun Kumar Chatterji, who was a clerk in Port Commission before joining Bengali films. When he joined films with Drishtidaan in 1948, he had to struggle to create his image as against he established heroes like Asit Boron, Bikash Roy and others. In 1952, his film Basu Paribar struck at the box-office and he overtook Bosonto Choudhury, Asit Boron and became the leading superstar of Bengali films. All the qualities of a romantic hero was possessed by him, including a standard height, good complexion, manly voice, romantic hairstyle and unique dialogue delivery. Any dress suited the legendary superstar including Punjabi, dhoti, coat, Bengali dresses, etc. He had acted in the films of all the legendary directors of the golden age including Satyajit Ray’s Nayak in 1966, Chiriakhana in 1967, Tapan Sinha’s Jhinder Bandi in 1961, Upahaar in 1955 and Jotugriha in 1964, Ajoy Kar’s Harano Sur in 1957, Saptapadi in 1961, Suno Bara Nari in 1960, Agradoot’s Bipasha in 1962, Surjo Toron in 1958, Agragami’s Sagarika in 1956, Shonkhobela in 1966, to name a few. Uttam Kumar acted opposite all the leading actresses of Bengali celluloid including Suchitra Sen, Arundhuti Debi, Manju Dey, Sabitri Chatterji, Supriya Choudhury, Mala Sinha, and others. His combination with Suchitra Sen had given everlasting classics and both of them still remains the most romantic pair in Indian silver screen. Uttam Kumar’s films were based on rich literature including Tagore’s Khokababur Protyaborton, Subodh Ghosh’s Suno Bara Nari, Samaresh Bose’s Kuhak, Sorodindu Bondhopadyay’s Chiriakhana, Shankar’s Chourangi. The films were related to different types of stories including comedy stories, tragic stories, soft romantic stories, etc. Uttam Kumar had acted in around 205 films (including bollywood films like Amanush, Anand Ashram, Choti Si Mulakat, Dooriyan, Kitaab etc., ) in a span of 35 years, and all his films had remained everlasting treasures. Out of his 205 films, around 37 of them ended up being blockbusters, around 50 were super hit films and around 50 were hit films. Actor Shatrughun Sinha in his interview before Bengali media had disclosed that when he was working in Pune Film and Television Institute, the graduates had unanimous view that Uttam Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar were the greatest superstars of celluloid and had Uttam Kumar acted in more number of bollywood films, he would have remained as great a legend as Dilip Kumar or Raj Kapoor. Even the singers who had sung for him including Manna Dey, Shyamal Mitra, Hemanta Mukherjee, Manobendra Mukherjee, etc., agreed that they did not find any actor who was parallel to Uttam Kumar in giving lips in songs. He made the viewers feel that he only sang the songs. Actor Shatrughun Sinha in his interview had said that during his student life in Pune Film and Television Institute, the upcoming actors used to debate about the charishma of Uttam Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar. Although there was no unanimity about the finest actor among them, there was consensus about one fact had Uttam Kumar established himself in bollywood films by acting in more number of films, he would have been equally an international figure like Raj Kapoor or Dilip Kumar. Articles after articles can be devoted to Uttam Kumar who was one –man –industry in Bengali films. His films should be revisited to create motivation for making better quality films in future.

Superstar Uttam Kumar had a brilliant combination with composer Nochiketa Ghosh

Uttam Kumar and Nochiketa Ghosh Nochiketa Ghosh had contributed widely both in Bengali film music and Bengali modern songs in the 50s, 60s and 70s. In the 50s he showed his metal in Uttam Kumar’s film Nabajanma. Manobendra Mukherjee’s song “ore mon majhi” and Dhananjoy Bhattacharya’s “kalama katiya” gave expression to Nochiketa Ghosh’s folk tunes. Nochiketa Ghosh’s music in Uttam Kumar’s film Trijama was equally sublime. Sandhya Mukherjee’s song “banmoyurir naach dekhte jabo” and “matite chandramallika” were equally brilliant. In the 50s, the other notable films where Nochiketa Ghosh’s music was impressive include Uttam Kumar’s film Indrani and Prithibi Amare Chaye. Geeta Dutt’s song “nishiraat bankha chand”, “ogo shundoro”, “kanak kanak madhur badhon” were some of the greatest hits of Geeta Dutt in her entire career. The lips of Mala Sinha and Suchitra Sen were impressive in these films. Hemanta Mukherjee’s song “surjo dobar pala” became super hit in the late 50s. In the 60s, Nochiketa Ghosh composed music in average films. Prominent among them included Bhanu Pelo Lottery where Shyamal Mitra’s song “putul nebe go” became very popular. For 4 to 5 years, Nochiketa Ghosh went to Mumbai, so he did not contribute in Bengali films for those few years. He again made a huge comeback in Uttam Kumar’s film Nishi Padda in the early 70s. Manna Dey’s songs “ja khushi ora bole boluk”, “na na na aaj rate aar” became super hit in the 70s. Manna Dey’s songs in Uttam Kumar’s film Chiradiner, like “phool pakhi bondhu amar chilo”, “manush khun hole pore”, “lal nil sabujeri mela boseche”, “tumi amar chirodiner” became super hit. In Uttam Kumar’s film Stree, Manna Dey’s songs “hajar takar jhar batita”, “o se jotoi kalo hok”, “jemon shapinike posh manay ojha” became smash hit. Nochiketa Ghosh’s music in the film Sanyasi Raja was considered to be his best creation by critics. Manna Dey’s songs “shashikanto tumi dekchi”, “bhalobashar agun jalao”, were probably the best songs sung for Uttam Kumar in royal andaz. His composition in Uttam Kumar’s films Dhanni Meye and Mouchak require special mention. Manna Dey’s songs in these films like “sab khela sera bangalir tumi football”, “tabole to prem debena”, “paglagarod”, etc., flabbergasted the Bengali audience in the mid-70s. Nochiketa Ghosh made many landmark tunes in Bengali modern songs. Some of them included Manobendra Mukherjee’s romantic songs “seto naam dhore kono din dakeni amay”, “bone noy mone mor”, “o amar chandramallika”, “aha na roy na”, etc. His composition “amar ganer sworolipi lekha robe” for Hemanta Mukherjee stormed Bengal in the early 50s. He died in the late 70s, otherwise he would have given many more notable tunes. His songs and films should be preserved.

Superstra

Superstar Uttam Kumar gave brilliant performance opposite Anjana Bhowmick in film Chowrangee

In the film Chourangee Uttam Kumar shook the intellectuals and literary community. Uttam Kumar’s acting versatility reached the intellectuals of Bengal by mid-60s. His films including Tapan Sinha’s Jotugriha, Satyajit Ray’s Nayak, Ajoy’s Kar’s Saptapadi, ended up being cine-classics which had paved the way for thoughtful filmmaking in the later years. Chowrangee was the landmark literature of writer Shankar which was given expression by director Pinaki Mukherjee. Released in 1968, the film was related to the life of Grand Hotel in Kolkata. Uttam Kumar was the receptionist of the five star hotel, better known as Sata Bose. Subhendu Chatterji got a job as another receptionist in Grand Hotel, who was groomed and trained by Uttam Kumar. The striking part of the film lied in the depiction of numerous weird characters in the film who visited Grand Hotel during the 50s and 60s and whose activities could be predicted by Uttam Kumar with his profound experience in the hotel industry. Utpal Dutta played the role of Marco Polo, one of the members of the management of Grand Hotel. He gave the job to Subhendu Chatterji due to request of Dipak Mukherjee whom he knew very well. The character artists played significant role in the film. Biswajeet Chatterji played the role of Mr. Pakrasi, the son of Deepti Ray, who fell in love with Supriya Choudhury in the film. Bhanu Banerjee played the role of employee in Grand Hotel, Jahar Roy played the role of Chief Chef in the film, Prashanto Kumar played the role of the Violin Player in the film. Uttam Kumar fell in love with Anjana Bhowmick, an air-hostess who came to visit Grand Hotel a number of times. But at the end of the film when Uttam Kumar left the job and planned to go and settle in Mumbai after marrying Anjana Bhowmick, the last flight of Anjana Bhowmick crashed and the hopes of Uttam Kumar also crashed with the accident. Ashima Bhattacharya, the producer in the film composed a landmark song for Manna Dey. The song was titled “meghero khela akasho pare”. The remained as one of the greatest hit songs sung by Manna Dey for Uttam Kumar. The film Chowrangee should be preserved and restored for the classic literature, powerful direction, realistic performances and brilliant music.

Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen were uncomparable in film Rajlakkji Srikanto

Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen were brilliant in Rajlakkhi Srikanto. Superstar Uttam Kumar was sublime in the film Rajlakkhi Srikanto. The film had been directed by Haridas Bhattacharya. He had done brilliant job with the classic literature of Sarat Chandra Chatterji. Sarat Chandra Chatterji had written his biography in the stories relating to Srikanto. Rajlakkhi Srikanto was released in 1958. The masses always read the great literature of Sarat Chanda Chatterjee. It was even a bigger risk to make a film where the story is already known. Very significantly Uttam Kumar understood the poetic character of Sarat Chandra Chatterji and depicted the character in style. He went for a hunting expedition after being called by Anil Chatterji. There he met his neighbour Rajlakkhi played by Suchitra Sen. He loved her during infancy. He was shocked to see her become a baijee named Pyari Bai who had her own house in Patna, Bihar. She unfolded her story and said that her father died. Then her mother went to stay in her brother’s house. Her mami got her married to an old man. He wanted to sell her. Suchitra Sen ran from her house and given shelter by a baijee. She taught her music. She earned her living by being baijee. Composer Gyan Prakash Ghosh composed great classical tunes and singer Krishna Ganguly sang very well. Uttam Kumar also tried to live like a sadhu and joined the group of sadhus led by Jahar Ray. But the disease of chicken pox spread in the village, and to help a family of patients Uttam Kumar stayed in the village. But the family left him when he got infected with small pox. At the end of the film Uttam Kumar left for Burma to get a job. But he remained unmarried throughout his life due to the fact that he could not marry Suchitra Sen who played the role of Rajlakkhi. The film did excellent business and the supporting performers in the film did an excellent job including Sishir Batabyal, Haridhan, and others.

Bengali superstar Uttam Kumar and Arundhuti Debi created aristocratic pair in bengal

Uttam Kumar in the 50s and 60s acted opposite different actresses, some who were beautiful, like Sumitra Debi, Suchitra Sen, Sharmila Tagore, etc., while others who had wide ranging acting conceptions like Manju Dey, Sabitri Chatterji and others. Arundhuti Debi was one of the highly educated characters whose qualifications were expressed in the characters she had played in a long career spanning over 25 years. With Uttam Kumar Arundhuti Debi acted in approximately 8 films including Bokul, Shiulibari, Jhinder Bandi, Jotugriha, Nabajanma, Manmayi Girls School, Pushpodhonu and Bicharak. While in Bicharak, she expressed the feelings of a confused sister whose elder sister was married to Uttam Kumar. Uttam Kumar was attracted to Arundhuti Debi and when fire broke out in the house and his first wife Deepti Ray required his help, he declined to help her and allowed her to die. A similar type of case was adjudicated by Uttam Kumar when he was a judge, when Chabi Biswas, the Public Prosecutor talked about the liability of the accused who could have saved the life of his brother, but he did not do so. Uttam Kumar was asked by Arundhuti Debi to examine his own conscience about his liability towards Deepti Roy in Prabhat Mukherjee’s classic film. Arundhuti Debi and Uttam Kumar showed their comedy conception in the film Manmayi Girl’s School, where they had to pretend to be spouses, because their landlord rented his house to them only on the condition of marriage. But their playacting resulted in an affair with one another. In Pushpadhanu, Arundhuti Debi brought up her husband’s child after he deserted her and got attached with Uttam Kumar who understood the feelings of an established dancer who got recognition but was a loner. Jhinder Bandi was made with the historical touch of Prisoner of Zenda and Tapan Sinha astonished the viewers with his treatment in the Indian context. The royal style of living of Rajputs was well demonstrated by both Uttam Kumar and Arundhuti Debi. Shiulibari was directed by Pijus Bose, who utilized the talent of Uttam Kumar and Arundhuti in a story based on the life of villagers of West Bengal. Jotugriha, directed by Tapan Sinha, was probably the most successful film of Uttam Kumar and Arundhuti Debi. In that film lack of begetting a child led to disharmony of the married couple. Both Uttam Kumar and Arundhuti Debi got separated and even after separation never lost the respect of each other. The story ends with both the spouses travelling in to trains which crossed each other. The level of performance of both Uttam Kumar and Arundhuti Debi, was such that there were no Indian actor or actress who could match the standard of performance. Uttam Kumar was the greatest superstar of Bengali cinema and became one-man industry in the 70s. Critics argue that no Indian star other than Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor had the individual charishma which Uttam Kumar had and if his Hindi films clicked he could have created serious competition for the stars of 60s. But Arundhuti Debi’s films with Uttam Kumar were so rich in literature, script and performance that critics argue that the combination addressed the concerns of intellectual audience of the country more than any other combination. The films should be restored for their aesthetic value.

Rafisahab sang lovely songs for bengali superstar Uttam Kumar in combination with Shankar Jaikishan in film Choti Si Mulakat

In 1967, bengali Superstar Uttam Kumar ventured into bollywood opposite superstar Vaijayantimalaji in the film Choti Si Mulakat. Before Vaijayantimalaji was uncrowned queen of bollywood. All her films from Nagin to Naya Daur, Devdas to Zindagi, Sangam to Suraj became super hits blockbusters. This film was based on the story of Agni Parikkha which was super hit film of Uttam Kumar Suchitra Sen in bengali. But the hindi version did not get box office. All the songs of Rafisahab "tujhe dekha tujhe chaha", "choti si mulakat me pyar ban gayi", Ashaji's "mat ja mat ja" composed by Shankar Jaikishan were bumper hits. Tujhe dekha tujhe chaha still remains one of the best super hit duets of Suman Kalyanpur and Rafisahab over the decade. Vaijayantimalaji was at the peak of her career at that time commanding highest fees. Uttam Kumar was the bengali superstar who was known for brilliant looks and lovely voice. There was exotic locations of Jammu and Kashmir, Shimla and everything was in colour. There was powerful performances of character artists like Pratibha Debi, Tarun Bose, Shashikala, Rajender Nath and others. The film was directed by Alo Sarkar. It was amazing that in bollywood films with weak storyline and poor acting also became hits in the past, while Choti Si Mulakat with two superstars Vaijayantimalaji and Uttam Kumarji ended up without success.

Hemant Kumar the man with the golden voice is remembered on birth anniversary

Remembering Hemant Kumar on his birth anniversary. The viewers of bollywood and Bengali films pay their homage to evergreen singer Hemant Kumar on his birth anniversary on 16th June, 2026

. He had died more than 16 years back, but had left lot of memories which are cherished by the following generations. He composed music in many bollywood films in the 50s and 60s and carried forward the legacy of Rabindra Sangeet beyond the Bengal border and made it popular all across India. He composed music in the film Nagin and got the filmfare award for the best composer in 1955. His tune “man dole” sung by Lata for Vaijayantimala became extremely popular in the mid -50s. He sang a number of songs for Dev Anand including “yeh raat yeh chandni” in the film Jaal, “yeh apna dil” in Solwa Saal composed by SD Burman, songs in Patita composed by Shankar Jaikishan, etc. He also sang the legendary song “jane yeh kaise” for Guru Dutt in the film Pyaasa. His composition in Biswajeet’s films Bees Saal Baad and Kohra, became super hit. Successful songs included “yeh nayan dhali dhali”, “zara nazron se kahdo ji”, etc. In fact Hemant Kumar produced the film Bees Saal Baad, which was the sequel of Bengali crime thriller Jighansha, directed by Ajoy Kar. Hemant Kumar’s composition in the other films included Biswajeet’s Do Dil, Dilip Kumar’s Paigam, Dharmender’s Khamoshi, Guru Dutt’s Sahe Bibi Aur Ghulam, to name a few. Some of the hit songs sung by Hemant Kumar in those films included “tum pukarke”, and others. Besides he had given many hit songs to Lata, Asha and Geeta Dutt in those films. Hemant Kumar had sung majority of playback songs for Bengali superstar Uttam Kumar in the 50s. His songs included “surer akashe tumi je go shuktara” from the film Shapmochon in 1955, “tare bole diyo” from the film Dui Bhai in 1961, “nir choto khoti nei” from the film Indrani in 1958, “ei poth Jodi na shesh hoi” from the film Saptapadi in 1961, “jai chole jai” from the film Kal Tumi Aleya in 1965, “sapno jagano raat” from the film Shudhu Ekti Bachar in 1966, “mou bane aaj” from the film Bondhu in 1958, to name a few. Besides most of the Rabindra Sangeet sung by Hemant Kumar in Bengali films became hits, including “tumi robe nirobe” in Biswajeet’s Kuheli, “ami pothbhola ek pathik” in Uttam Kumar’s Mon Niye, “jokhon porbe na mor” in Uttam Kumar’s film Bibhas, “purano shei diner kotha” in Uttam Kumar’s Agnisshar, etc. Hemant Kumar had composed songs in more than 50 bengali films like Shap Mochon, Harano Sur, Saptapadi, Deep Jele Jai, Sathihara, Palatak, Phuleshwari, Dadar Kirti, Dui Bhai, Surjotoron, etc., most of which became dashing hits. Hemant Kumar had sung more than 1000 bengali modern songs under different composers. He had sung trend-setting songs composed by Salil Choudhury like “runner”, “kono ek gayer bodhu”, “patha harabo bole ebar”, “palki chole”. Nochiketa Ghosh composed landmark song for Hemant Kumar titled “amar ganer shorolipi lekha robe”. He had sung many ranbindra sangeet and showed his own skill aside other giants like Pankaj Mallick, Subinoy Ray, Dijen Mukherjee, Debrata Biswas and others. Hemant Kumar’s contribution in Bengali modern songs and film songs is so huge that articles after articles can be devoted for the melody king of Bengal. The viewers pay their respect for the departed soul of legendary singer Hemant Kumar on his birthday.

Superstar Uttam Kumar performance in film Chowrangee opposite Anjana Bhowmick remained immortal.

In the film Chourangee Uttam Kumar shook the intellectuals and literary community. Uttam Kumar’s acting versatility reached the intellectuals of Bengal by mid-60s. His films including Tapan Sinha’s Jotugriha, Satyajit Ray’s Nayak, Ajoy’s Kar’s Saptapadi, ended up being cine-classics which had paved the way for thoughtful filmmaking in the later years. Chowrangee was the landmark literature of writer Shankar which was given expression by director Pinaki Mukherjee. Released in 1968, the film was related to the life of Grand Hotel in Kolkata. Uttam Kumar was the receptionist of the five star hotel, better known as Sata Bose. Subhendu Chatterji got a job as another receptionist in Grand Hotel, who was groomed and trained by Uttam Kumar. The striking part of the film lied in the depiction of numerous weird characters in the film who visited Grand Hotel during the 50s and 60s and whose activities could be predicted by Uttam Kumar with his profound experience in the hotel industry. Utpal Dutta played the role of Marco Polo, one of the members of the management of Grand Hotel. He gave the job to Subhendu Chatterji due to request of Dipak Mukherjee whom he knew very well. The character artists played significant role in the film. Biswajeet Chatterji played the role of Mr. Pakrasi, the son of Deepti Ray, who fell in love with Supriya Choudhury in the film. Bhanu Banerjee played the role of employee in Grand Hotel, Jahar Roy played the role of Chief Chef in the film, Prashanto Kumar played the role of the Violin Player in the film. Uttam Kumar fell in love with Anjana Bhowmick, an air-hostess who came to visit Grand Hotel a number of times. But at the end of the film when Uttam Kumar left the job and planned to go and settle in Mumbai after marrying Anjana Bhowmick, the last flight of Anjana Bhowmick crashed and the hopes of Uttam Kumar also crashed with the accident. Ashima Bhattacharya, the producer in the film composed a landmark song for Manna Dey. The song was titled “meghero khela akasho pare”. The remained as one of the greatest hit songs sung by Manna Dey for Uttam Kumar. The film Chowrangee should be preserved and restored for the classic literature, powerful direction, realistic performances and brilliant music.

Looking back at the majestic combination of Arundhati debi with mahanayak Uttam Kumar.

Uttam Kumar in the 50s and 60s acted opposite different actresses, some who were beautiful, like Sumitra Debi, Suchitra Sen, Sharmila Tagore, etc., while others who had wide ranging acting conceptions like Manju Dey, Sabitri Chatterji and others. Arundhuti Debi was one of the highly educated characters whose qualifications were expressed in the characters she had played in a long career spanning over 25 years. With Uttam Kumar Arundhuti Debi acted in approximately 8 films including Bokul, Shiulibari, Jhinder Bandi, Jotugriha, Nabajanma, Manmayi Girls School, Pushpodhonu and Bicharak. While in Bicharak, she expressed the feelings of a confused sister whose elder sister was married to Uttam Kumar. Uttam Kumar was attracted to Arundhuti Debi and when fire broke out in the house and his first wife Deepti Ray required his help, he declined to help her and allowed her to die. A similar type of case was adjudicated by Uttam Kumar when he was a judge, when Chabi Biswas, the Public Prosecutor talked about the liability of the accused who could have saved the life of his brother, but he did not do so. Uttam Kumar was asked by Arundhuti Debi to examine his own conscience about his liability towards Deepti Roy in Prabhat Mukherjee’s classic film. Arundhuti Debi and Uttam Kumar showed their comedy conception in the film Manmayi Girl’s School, where they had to pretend to be spouses, because their landlord rented his house to them only on the condition of marriage. But their playacting resulted in an affair with one another. In Pushpadhanu, Arundhuti Debi brought up her husband’s child after he deserted her and got attached with Uttam Kumar who understood the feelings of an established dancer who got recognition but was a loner. Jhinder Bandi was made with the historical touch of Prisoner of Zenda and Tapan Sinha astonished the viewers with his treatment in the Indian context. The royal style of living of Rajputs was well demonstrated by both Uttam Kumar and Arundhuti Debi. Shiulibari was directed by Pijus Bose, who utilized the talent of Uttam Kumar and Arundhuti in a story based on the life of villagers of West Bengal. Jotugriha, directed by Tapan Sinha, was probably the most successful film of Uttam Kumar and Arundhuti Debi. In that film lack of begetting a child led to disharmony of the married couple. Both Uttam Kumar and Arundhuti Debi got separated and even after separation never lost the respect of each other. The story ends with both the spouses travelling in to trains which crossed each other. The level of performance of both Uttam Kumar and Arundhuti Debi, was such that there were no Indian actor or actress who could match the standard of performance. Uttam Kumar was the greatest superstar of Bengali cinema and became one-man industry in the 70s. Critics argue that no Indian star other than Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor had the individual charishma which Uttam Kumar had and if his Hindi films clicked he could have created serious competition for the stars of 60s. But Arundhuti Debi’s films with Uttam Kumar were so rich in literature, script and performance that critics argue that the combination addressed the concerns of intellectual audience of the country more than any other combination. The films should be restored for their aesthetic value.

Sharmila Tagoreji said that superstar Uttam Kumar was the greatest bengali icon ever to have been born.

Sharmila Tagore. Sharmila Tagore once again came as guest judge in Zee Bangla Mirakkel Program on 6th March, 2012. Mir Afsar Ali asked him her experience of acting with Uttam Kumar. She said that Satyajit Ray said that if Uttam Kumar would have declined to act in the film Nayak, he would not have made the film at all. She said her first commercial film in Bengal was Shesh Anka, opposite superstar Uttam Kumar. She said was amazed to see Uttam Kumar’s directorial capability in the film Kalangini Kankabati. She was spellbound in the way Uttam Kumar explained the character in the film Kalangini Kankabati. The respect for Uttam Kumar just increased and increased. At the end she said Uttam Kumar was the greatest Bengali actor ever to have been born. Mir asked her which was the best shooting spot in India where Sharmila had acted. Sharmila answered that Shillong was the best place. She acted with Dev Anand in the film Ye Gulistan Hamara and the shooting took place in Shillong. She could not forget the experience. She said she would have been happy if the film Safar would have been remade. If it was remade then Vidya Balan would have been the ideal actress who could have acted in the film.

Superstar Uttam Kumarji should have got many more national awards had it started earlier.

Uttam Kumar would have got more national awards had it started earlier.

The national awards for best actor started in 1967. Uttam Kumar received the best actor award for his splendid performance in the film Chiriakhana and Antony Firingi released in the same year.

It is a pity that the national awards for the best actor were started so late. Otherwise superstar Uttam Kumar could have won many more awards. Firstly his performance in the film Saheb Bibi Ghulam could have been considered for the award. He played the role of Bhootnath who was the observer in the film who witnessed the downfall of zamindari in North Calcutta during British regime. The same character was played by Guru Dutt in the bollywood film Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam.

Uttam Kumar’s performance in the film Harano Sur would have been considered for award. He played the role of big industrialist in Ajoy Kar’s classic film who lost his memory, married Suchitra Sen, and then forgot her after meeting with another accident. The film was considered as one of the greatest blockbusters of Bengali cinema.

Uttam Kumar won the BFJA award for the best actor for his brilliant performance in the film Saptapadi in 1961. He played the role of Krishnendu Mukherjee, an eminent doctor, who fell in love with Suchitra Sen, who was a Christian, but as his father Chabi Biswas stood in the way of inter-religious marriage, he sacrificed his life for the cause of victims of 2nd world war. Uttam Kumar’s performance could very well qualify for national award.

Uttam Kumar was equally brilliant in Tapan Sinha’s historical film Jhinder Bandi. He played a double role showing the bravery of rajput prince. Uttam Kumar was sublime in his performance in the films Thana Theke Aschi, Jotugriha, Nayak and Shankhabela.

Had these films being released after 1967, Uttam Kumar would have got more number of national awards. Firstly he was the automatic choice of all the legendary directors of Bengal, namely Satyajit Ray, Tapan Sinha, Ajoy Kar, Harishadhon Dasgupta, Agradoot, Agragami, Salil Sen, Salil Dutta, to name a few. Secondly, his films were path-breaking classics, which remained in the hearts of numerous filmlovers across the country. The films should be revived as each of them had become work of art over the years.

Rafisahab Shankar Jaikishanji combination gave melodious songs in Uttam Kumar Vaijayantimalaji starrer Choti Si Mulakat.

In 1967, bengali Superstar Uttam Kumar ventured into bollywood opposite superstar Vaijayantimalaji in the film Choti Si Mulakat. Before Vaijayantimalaji was uncrowned queen of bollywood. All her films from Nagin to Naya Daur, Devdas to Zindagi, Sangam to Suraj became super hits blockbusters. This film was based on the story of Agni Parikkha which was super hit film of Uttam Kumar Suchitra Sen in bengali. But the hindi version did not get box office. All the songs of Rafisahab "tujhe dekha tujhe chaha", "choti si mulakat me pyar ban gayi", Ashaji's "mat ja mat ja" composed by Shankar Jaikishan were bumper hits. Tujhe dekha tujhe chaha still remains one of the best super hit duets of Suman Kalyanpur and Rafisahab over the decade. Vaijayantimalaji was at the peak of her career at that time commanding highest fees. Uttam Kumar was the bengali superstar who was known for brilliant looks and lovely voice. There was exotic locations of Jammu and Kashmir, Shimla and everything was in colour. There was powerful performances of character artists like Pratibha Debi, Tarun Bose, Shashikala, Rajender Nath and others. The film was directed by Alo Sarkar. It was amazing that in bollywood films with weak storyline and poor acting also became hits in the past, while Choti Si Mulakat with two superstars Vaijayantimalaji and Uttam Kumarji ended up without success.

Rajlakkhi Srikanto became immortal due to unblemish performances of superstars Suchitra Sen and Uttam Kumar.

Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen were brilliant in Rajlakkhi Srikanto. Superstar Uttam Kumar was sublime in the film Rajlakkhi Srikanto. The film had been directed by Haridas Bhattacharya. He had done brilliant job with the classic literature of Sarat Chandra Chatterji. Sarat Chandra Chatterji had written his biography in the stories relating to Srikanto. Rajlakkhi Srikanto was released in 1958. The masses always read the great literature of Sarat Chanda Chatterjee. It was even a bigger risk to make a film where the story is already known. Very significantly Uttam Kumar understood the poetic character of Sarat Chandra Chatterji and depicted the character in style. He went for a hunting expedition after being called by Anil Chatterji. There he met his neighbour Rajlakkhi played by Suchitra Sen. He loved her during infancy. He was shocked to see her become a baijee named Pyari Bai who had her own house in Patna, Bihar. She unfolded her story and said that her father died. Then her mother went to stay in her brother’s house. Her mami got her married to an old man. He wanted to sell her. Suchitra Sen ran from her house and given shelter by a baijee. She taught her music. She earned her living by being baijee. Composer Gyan Prakash Ghosh composed great classical tunes and singer Krishna Ganguly sang very well. Uttam Kumar also tried to live like a sadhu and joined the group of sadhus led by Jahar Ray. But the disease of chicken pox spread in the village, and to help a family of patients Uttam Kumar stayed in the village. But the family left him when he got infected with small pox. At the end of the film Uttam Kumar left for Burma to get a job. But he remained unmarried throughout his life due to the fact that he could not marry Suchitra Sen who played the role of Rajlakkhi. The film did excellent business and the supporting performers in the film did an excellent job including Sishir Batabyal, Haridhan, and others.

Mahanayak Uttam Kumar the greatest superstar of Bengal is remembered on death anniversary.

Uttam Kumar’s death anniversary brings great memories of the superstar of Bengal. Again, 24th July, 2024 will bring memories of Mahanayak Uttam Kumar. Superstar Uttam Kumar was remembered on his birth anniversary on 3rd September, 2023. Actor-turned-MPs Dev and Moon Moon Sen would be felicitated with the Mahanayak and Mahanayika Samman, the highest film award given by the West Bengal government. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will give the annual 'Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Samman' at Nazrul Mancha stadium tomorrow to felicitate the actors and technicians of the Bengali film industry. On her Facebook page, Banerjee said veteran actress Mousumi Chatterjee and reigning Bengali film superstar Dev will be the recipients of this year's 'Mahanayak Samman' while Moonmoon Sen will receive the 'Mahanayika Samman'. Both Dev and Sen had won the recent Lok Sabha polls on a Trinamool ticket. The awards were instituted in the year 2012 in the memory of the legendary actor 'Mahanayak' Uttam Kumar. Actor-director-producer Arindam Sil will be conferred with Special Film Award (Acting). Special Film Awards will also be presented to actors like Paoli Dam, Hiran Chatterjee, Abir Chatterjee, Indranil Sengupta, Kharaj Mukherjee, Rudranil Ghosh and others. Veterans of Bengali film industry like Chiranjeet Chakraborty, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Mamata Shankar and Debashree Roy will be feted with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Veteran playback artiste Kumar Sanu will be felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award for Music (playback Singer) while Special Film Awards (Music Director) will be presented to Sivaji Chattopadhyay, Arundhati Home Chowdhury and Adhir Chatterjee. Nispal Rane on behalf of Surinder Films will get Special Film award for the best producer. Special film award for direction will be given to Swapan Saha, Kamaleshwar Mukherjee and Prodipto Bhattacharyya. 50 actors had been awarded the Mahanayak Uttam Kumar award on his death anniversary on 24th July, 2013. Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee had started the awards in the memory of the greatest superstar of Bengal Mahanayak Uttam Kumar. Madhabi Mukherjee, Dipankar Dey, Ranjit Mullick and Sandhya Roy had been given lifetime achievement award. Incidentally Madhabi Mukherjee had acted in many super hit films of Uttam Kumar like Shankhabela, Choddobeshi, Agnisshar, etc. and Sandhya Roy had acted in many hit films of Uttam Kumar like Mayamrigo, Surjotapa. Director Goutam Ghosh had also been granted lifetime achievement award. Actors Partho Mukherjee, Chinmoy Roy, directors Sandip Ray, Raj Chakravarty, Sujit Saha, Koushik Ganguly and Srijit Mukherjee are given special awards. Actors Tapas Pal and Prasenjit Chatterjee are given Mahanayak Samman. Actors Saswata Chatterjee and Parambrata Chatterjee are given special awards. Film Producing companies are also awarded and felicitated including RD Bansal and Company, Arora Films, Shri Venkatesh films, New Theatres, to name a few. He had died almost 33 years ago, yet the viewers had not forgotten his films and still his presence is felt in the life bengalies in different parts of the world. In 2011 the Governer of West Bengal launched the 50 rupees postal stamp having the engraving of Uttam Kumar in it. Previously Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar’s faces were engraved in Postal stamps for remembering their contribution to Indian cinema. Last year, Mamta Banerjee, the Union Railway Minister, renamed the Tollygunge Metro Station as Mahanayak Uttam Kumar station. In 2011, the walls of the Tollygunge Metro Station had been filled with the pictures of films of Uttam Kumar. In fact the people of Tollygunge cannot associate the place without the existence of Uttam Kumar whose works glorified the different studios which carried on the legacy of Bengali Film Industry. Mamta Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal had also provided support to revive the Uttam Mancha and take care of Shilpi Sangsad, an organization created by Mahanayak Uttam Kumar to help the needy actors, actresses, technicians, etc. Oscar winning director Satyajit Ray acknowledged the dynamic presence of the legendary superstar in Bengali films and made a film Nayak in 1966 based on the story of Uttam Kumar. His original name was Arun Kumar Chatterji, who was a clerk in Port Commission before joining Bengali films. When he joined films with Drishtidaan in 1948, he had to struggle to create his image as against he established heroes like Asit Boron, Bikash Roy and others. In 1952, his film Basu Paribar struck at the box-office and he overtook Bosonto Choudhury, Asit Boron and became the leading superstar of Bengali films. All the qualities of a romantic hero was possessed by him, including a standard height, good complexion, manly voice, romantic hairstyle and unique dialogue delivery. Any dress suited the legendary superstar including Punjabi, dhoti, coat, Bengali dresses, etc. He had acted in the films of all the legendary directors of the golden age including Satyajit Ray’s Nayak in 1966, Chiriakhana in 1967, Tapan Sinha’s Jhinder Bandi in 1961, Upahaar in 1955 and Jotugriha in 1964, Ajoy Kar’s Harano Sur in 1957, Saptapadi in 1961, Suno Bara Nari in 1960, Agradoot’s Bipasha in 1962, Surjo Toron in 1958, Agragami’s Sagarika in 1956, Shonkhobela in 1966, to name a few. Uttam Kumar acted opposite all the leading actresses of Bengali celluloid including Suchitra Sen, Arundhuti Debi, Manju Dey, Sabitri Chatterji, Supriya Choudhury, Mala Sinha, and others. His combination with Suchitra Sen had given everlasting classics and both of them still remains the most romantic pair in Indian silver screen. Uttam Kumar’s films were based on rich literature including Tagore’s Khokababur Protyaborton, Subodh Ghosh’s Suno Bara Nari, Samaresh Bose’s Kuhak, Sorodindu Bondhopadyay’s Chiriakhana, Shankar’s Chourangi. The films were related to different types of stories including comedy stories, tragic stories, soft romantic stories, etc. Uttam Kumar had acted in around 205 films (including bollywood films like Amanush, Anand Ashram, Choti Si Mulakat, Dooriyan, Kitaab etc., ) in a span of 35 years, and all his films had remained everlasting treasures. Out of his 205 films, around 37 of them ended up being blockbusters, around 50 were super hit films and around 50 were hit films. Actor Shatrughun Sinha in his interview before Bengali media had disclosed that when he was working in Pune Film and Television Institute, the graduates had unanimous view that Uttam Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar were the greatest superstars of celluloid and had Uttam Kumar acted in more number of bollywood films, he would have remained as great a legend as Dilip Kumar or Raj Kapoor. Even the singers who had sung for him including Manna Dey, Shyamal Mitra, Hemanta Mukherjee, Manobendra Mukherjee, etc., agreed that they did not find any actor who was parallel to Uttam Kumar in giving lips in songs. He made the viewers feel that he only sang the songs. Actor Shatrughun Sinha in his interview had said that during his student life in Pune Film and Television Institute, the upcoming actors used to debate about the charishma of Uttam Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar. Although there was no unanimity about the finest actor among them, there was consensus about one fact had Uttam Kumar established himself in bollywood films by acting in more number of films, he would have been equally an international figure like Raj Kapoor or Dilip Kumar. Articles after articles can be devoted to Uttam Kumar who was one –man –industry in Bengali films. His films should be revisited to create motivation for making better quality films in future.

Ajoy Kar and Agradoot had immortal bond with superstar Uttam Kumar

Elegant combination of Uttam Kumar with Ajoy Kar and Agradoot. In the 1950s major films of Uttam Kumar created romantic appeal before the majority of audience of the country. His combination with Ajay Kar and Agradoot was very grand. Ajay Kar did cast Uttam Kumar for the first time in the film Griha Prabesh. It was a social film where Uttam Kumar and Suchitra sen were launched and they acted opposite other established artists like Manju Dey, Bikash Roy and others. In Shyamali in 1956, Ajay Kar utilized Uttam Kumar’s acting potential. It was a film relating to deaf and dumb character played by Kaberi Bose. Uttam Kumar played a very compassionate role and his experience of acting in stage opposite Sabitri Chatterjee in the play Shaymali helped him a lot. In 1957, Uttam Kumar’s film Harano Sir ended up being the biggest blockbuster of the decade. Suchitra Sen played the role of wife of Uttam Kumar. Uttam Kumar met with an accident and for his previous history. Suchitra Sen treated her and married her. But again Uttam Kumar met with an accident and forgot Suchitra Sen. The rest of the film was related to the struggle of Suchitra Sen in bringing back memories of Uttam Kumar of the past. Geeta Dutt’s song “tumi je amar” became bumper hit. Ajay Kar’s Saptapadi stands out as one of the greatest classics of the golden period. Critics argue that Saptapadi released in 1961 stands out as the best film of Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen in their entire career. Ajoy Kar probably made the best use of Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen in the film Saptapadi. It was a story of Tarashankar Banerjee on affair between hindu Brahmin played by Uttam Kumar with a Christian girl played by Suchitra Sen. Uttam Kumar’s father Chabi Biswas did not accept the marriage. Uttam Kumar became a Christian and a doctor but could not marry Suchitra Sen. The film was made at the backdrop of Second World War. Hemanta Mukherjee’s music in the film was very impressive. Ajay Kar reciprocated the magic in Uttam Kumar’s film Shono Boronari. The film was released in 1960. There Supriya Debi, the daughter of eminent barrister Udasin played by Chabi Biswas fell in love with a homeopathic doctor played by Uttam Kumar. As monetarily Uttam Kumar was no match to Chabi Biswas, a marriage was arranged with industrialist Dipak Mukherjee in the film. At the end of the film Supriya Debi left her house to accept Uttam Kumar. The music of Robin Chatterjee in the film was very impressive. Ajoy Kar made other successful films with Uttam Kumar including Khelaghar opposite Mala Sinha, Bardidi with Sandharani, to name a few. Agradoot included a group of directors were formed in 1946 by director Bibhuti Laha, sound recordist Jatin Dutta, Laboratory specialist Sailen Ghoshal, script writer Nitai Bhattacharya and producer Bimal Ghosh. With Uttam Kumar Agradoot made the film Sahajatri in 1951. Bharati Debi was the heroine of the film. After that Agradoot directed one after the other hit films with Uttam Kumar. Agniparikkha in 1954 directed by Agradoot became super hit. Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen were established as leading stars of Bengal. Anupam Ghatak composed the music of the film. Sandhya Mukherjee sang landmark songs like “gaane more indradhanu”, “ke tumi amare dako”, to name a few. From that time Suchitra Sen, singer Sandhya Mukherjee, music director Robin Chatterjee, Anupam Ghatak stormed Bengali films. Sabar Opore followed. Uttam Kumar played the role of lawyer in the film who re-opened a murder case where his father Chabi Biswas was proved guilty of murder. Again the combination with Suchitra Sen, Sandhya Mukherjee, Robin Chatterjee struck gold. The songs of Sandhya Mukherjee like “ghum ghum chand jhikimiki tara”, and Dhananjoy Bhattacharya like “kantaro aghate chino paye rakta jhare” became super hit. The other super hit films of Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen directed by Agradoot include Pathe Holo Deri, Bipasha, to name a few. Majority of Agradoot’s films were produced by MP Production and shot in MP Studio. One interesting statistics about Uttam Kumar Suchitra Sen pair is that from 1953 to 1959, both of them acted in 22 films. Majority of those films were directed by Agradoot and majority of them ended up being super hit films. Chabi Biswas was pivotal in playing the roles of fathers of Suchitra Sen and Uttam Kumar in majority of those films. Agradoot continued with his experiment in other Uttam Kumar films like Kuhak in 1961, Kokhono Megh in 1968, Choddobeshi in 1971. It was a great experiment of Agradoot in casting Uttam Kumar in negative role for the first time in Kuhak. Sabitri Chatterjee was the heroin. He wanted to take away the stolen money from Tarun Kumar’s son but was ultimately killed by Premangshu Basu. In Kokhono Megh Uttam Kumar played the role of detective with Kali Banerjee the villain. Anjana Bhowmick acted opposite Uttam Kumar. Agradoot also directed Uttam Kumar in serio-comic film Choddobeshi. Madhabi Mukherjee, Bikash Roy, Anubha Gupta were the other artists in the film. If the films of Ajoy Kumar and Agradoot were analyzed it will be seen while Uttam Kumar played the pivotal roles in all the films, the success of the films were dependent on outstanding music. The prominent music directors who contributed in the music of the films included Robin Chatterjee and Anupam Ghatak. The outstanding performances by character artists like Chabi Biswas took the films to a different horizon. Other male character artists performed beyond expectation including Kamal Mitra, Nitish Mukherjee, Bikash Roy, Pahari Sanyal, Kali Banerjee, Jahar Ganguly, to name a few. Also the female character artists like Malina Debi, Sunanda Debi, Chandrabati Debi, Chaya Debi, Padda Debi played landmark characters. The excellent literature of legendary writers like Tagore, Sarat Chandra Chatterjee, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, and contemporary writers like Samaresh Basu, Subodh Ghosh appealed to the masses. If Uttam Kumar became mahanayak, the legendary superstar of Bengal, there was huge contribution of Ajay Kar and Agradoot in making him a superstar. /s320/85a8e35fa5fd27565702cd986d9dbf62%2BUttam%2Bkumar%2Bsharmila.jpg" width="298" height="320" data-original-width="564" data-original-height="606" />