Uttam Kumar (Bangla: উত্তম কুমার ) (3 September 1926 - 24 July 1980) was a legendary Bengali actor. He is fondly called the Mahanayak or the "Great Hero" of Bengali cinema. He was born Arun Kumar Chatterjee on 3 September 1926 in Kolkata. Bangla redirects here. ... is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 205th day of the year (206th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... The Bengali people are the ethnic community from Bengal (divided between India and Bangladesh) on the Indian subcontinent with a history dating back four millennia. ... Bengali cinema, or the Bengali film industry, is one of the earliest film industries in India. ... Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... , “Calcutta” redirects here. ...

He had been an actor, director and producer. Apart from acting in two films with Satyajit Ray, Nayak (The Hero) and Chiriyakhana (The Zoo, a thriller written by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay, in which he played the famous Bengali detective Byomkesh Bakshi), he has acted in some Hindi films like "Chhoti si Mulaqat" (with Vyjayantimala Bali), "Amanush" (with Sharmila Tagore), "Ananda Ashram" (with Sharmila Tagore), "Kitaab" and "Dooriyan". Satyajit Ray (Bengali:  ) (May 2, 1921–April 23, 1992) was a Bengali Indian filmmaker and polymath. ... Chiriakhana or Chiriyakhana (meaning the zoo in Bengali) is the name of the Bengali cinema, by Satyajit Ray, starring Uttam Kumar, released in 1967. ... Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay has been a well known literary figure of Bengal. ... For other uses, see Bengal (disambiguation). ... Cover of a Byomkesh Bakshi stories collection , English translation. ... Hindi (DevanāgarÄ«: or , IAST: , IPA:  ), an Indo-European language spoken all over India in varying degrees and extensively in northern and central India, is one of the 22 official languages of India and is used, along with English, for central government administrative purposes. ... Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian actress. ... See Tagore for disambiguation Sharmila Tagore (Bengali: ) is a renowned Indian film actress from Bengal, who as of April 2005 heads the Indian Film Censor Board. ...

Early life

Uttam Kumar was born in Kolkata in his ancestral house in Girish Mukherjee Road, Bhowanipore. After his schooling in South Suburban School (Main), he went for higher studies in Goenka College of Commerce and Business Administration, an affiliated college of the University of Calcutta system. However, he couldn't complete his studies as he started working at the Kolkata Port as a clerk. During this period, he acted for amateur theater groups. , “Calcutta” redirects here. ... Bhowanipore or Bhabanipur is the oldest locality of South Kolkata. ... South Suburban School (Main) was established on 13th February in 1874. ... Formally established on the 24 January 1857, the University of Calcutta (also known as Calcutta University) (Bengali: কলকাতা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়), located in the city of Kolkata (previously Calcutta), India, is the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent. ...

Film debut

Uttam's first released film was Drishtidan (The gift of sight) directed by Nitin Bose, though he worked in an earlier unreleased film called Mayador (Embrace of affection). He came into promonence in the film Basu Paribar and his breakthrough film was Sare Chuyattor (74 and a half) with a young actress called Suchitra Sen. This romantic comedy launched the career of the greatest romantic duo to grace the Bangla film industry. Suchitra Sen (April 6, 1929) or April 6, 1931[1] (Bangla: সুচিত্রা সেন) is a Bengali actress who has attained legendary status because of her performances in Bengali cinema. ... This article is about the Bengali language. ...

Uttam-Suchitra

Uttam-Suchitra have ever since been a household name. Some of Uttam's famous films co-starring, with Suchitra include Soptopodi (Seven Steps),Pothe Holo Deri (Delay on the road), Harano Sur (Lost Music), Chaowa-Paowa (Wish and Achievement), Bipasha (River name of Punjab), Jeebon Trishna (Thirst for Life) and Sagorika (Sagorika). It is however debatable as whether on-screen chemistry between the two actors translated to off-screen romance.^{[citation needed]}

Uttam Kumar with Sharmila Tagore in Nayak

Image File history File links NayakUttam. ... Image File history File links NayakUttam. ... See Tagore for disambiguation Sharmila Tagore (Bengali: ) is a renowned Indian film actress from Bengal, who as of April 2005 heads the Indian Film Censor Board. ... Nayak (The Hero, 1966) was directed by Satyajit Ray from his second entirely original screenplay (after Kanchenjungha). ...

Branching out

Uttam Kumar tried his hand at the popular Bombay/Hindi film with the oft-criticised box office bomb Chhoti Si Mulakat, a film he produced and starred in, among others that were better received. But his towering contribution was to Bengali cinema, or Tollywood (as it is primarily located in Tollygunge in South Kolkata). Many of his Bengali films were directed by notable directors or directing groups of the sixties and the seventies, such as Agradut, Agragami, and Yatrik. Arguably, one of his most lauded appearances was in Satyajit Ray's Nayak (film) (The Hero). It has been rumored that Ray wrote the script with Uttam in mind. Later in his career, Uttam branched out into producing and directing much-lauded films such as Bon Palashir Padaboli. Tollygunge is a suburban locality of South Kolkata. ... Nayak (The Hero, 1966) was directed by Satyajit Ray from his second entirely original screenplay (after Kanchenjungha). ...

He had a huge phenomenal fan base which continues even to this day. Reruns of his films on television twenty seven years after his death is still eagerly watched. Uttam Kumars time is considered by many as the golden age of Bengali (West Bengal)cinema.

Off screen romance(s)

Uttam Kumar was rumoured to have off-screen romantic affairs with several of his co-stars including Suchitra Sen and Sabitri Chatterjee,although none of his affairs lasted long enough to be seriously considered as reasons for divorce with his wife. A notable exception to this rule was his relationship with veteran actress Supriya Devi which was well reported in the contemporary Bangla language print media. In her autobiography, Supriya Devi observed that despite co-habiting for some years, their relationship was strictly non physical in nature and was more based on mutual love and respect and shared passion for cinema.^{[citation needed]} Suchitra Sen (April 6, 1929) or April 6, 1931[1] (Bangla: সুচিত্রা সেন) is a Bengali actress who has attained legendary status because of her performances in Bengali cinema. ... Sabitri Chatterjee (born 22 February 1937) is an Indian Bengali female actor whose career as an actor spans more than 50 years. ... Supriya Devi (born 1933) is a Indian Bengali female actor, acting in Bengali cinemas for more than 50 years. ...

Death of a legend

A strict workaholic, he was rumored to have said that his preferred demise would be on the floor of a studio, doing what he loved best, acting. Indeed, that is exactly how he died. While filming the Bengali film Ogo Bodhu Shundori in 1980, he died of a massive heart attack at the age of 54. Ogo Bodhu Shundori is a movie of the comedic persuasion which was the last film of the iconic Bengali actor Uttam Kumar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Heart attack redirects here. ...

Uttam Kumar's funeral -- mourned by hundreds of thousands of Bengalis spilling into the streets as a slow-moving procession with his garlanded body moved along the major arteries of Calcutta -- was an elaborate, yet ultimately a simple affair. With his passing, Bengal marked the end of an era as Tollygunge (the area in Calcutta where most of the film studios are located) slowly but inexorably transformed itself into Tollywood (marked by a slavish imitation of Bollywood). Tollygunge is a suburban locality of South Kolkata. ... This article is on Calcutta/Kolkata, the city. ...

As for actors -- to date, and arguably, there has appeared in Tollywood no adequate replacement with comparable star power, box office magnetism, as well as acting acumen. Some of his films like "NishiPadmo" were copied into Bollywood blockbusters like Amar Prem starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore. Awards and Achievements:

In 1966, he turned in a much-lauded performance in the Satyajit Ray directed film Nayak. When the Indian Government instituted the National Awards for Best Actor and Actress in 1967, Uttam Kumar was the first ever recipient of the Best Actor Award for his performances in Chiriakhana directed by Satyajit Ray, and Antony Firingi (1967). Satyajit Ray (Bengali:  ) (May 2, 1921–April 23, 1992) was a Bengali Indian filmmaker and polymath. ... A Nayak (also Nayaka, Nayaker/Naicker (Tamil) or Nayadu/Naidu (Telegu) or Nair (Malayalam) Nayake/Naike (Sinhala) or Naik (Marathi) ) is the title of a government official, equivalent to a provincial governor or viceroy, in the Telugu kingdoms of southern India, including the Kakatiya kingdom of Warangal (11th-14th centuries... Chiriakhana or Chiriyakhana (Bengali: চিড়িয়াখানা) (meaning the zoo in Bengali) is the name of a Bengali film, by Satyajit Ray, starring Uttam Kumar, released in 1967. ... Satyajit Ray (Bengali:  ) (May 2, 1921–April 23, 1992) was a Bengali Indian filmmaker and polymath. ...

Family

Uttam Kumar was the eldest among three brothers. His second brother Barun Kumar Chatterjee died young. However, his youngest brother Tarun Kumar Chatterjee (screen name Tarun Kumar) has acted in numerous Bengali feature films and considered a character actor of considerable repute. Tarun Kumar often paired onscreen with his real life wife, character actress Subrataa Chatterjee. The films where Uttam Kumar and Tarun Kumar have starred together include Saptapadi,Mayamriga, Agnishwar etc.

Uttam Kumar's only son Gautam (a businessman ,who had no link with films) died of cancer.

His grandson Gaurav is now an actor in Bengali movies.

Selected filmography

• Basu Paribar
• Sare Chuattor
• Moner Moyur
• Griha Prabesh
• Agni Pariksha
• Antony Firingi
• Pathe holo deri
• Jeebon Trishna
• Shaap Mochon
• Deya Neya
• Dui Bhai
• Jeebon Jiggasa
• Sabarmoti
• Jhinder Bondi
• Alo Amar Alo
• Dhanraj Tamang
• Rajodrohi
• Shobaar Uporey
• Shyamali
• Shilpi
• Shaheb Bibi Golam
• Nayak
• Chaowa-Paowa
• Surya Toron
• Indrani
• RajLakshmi O Srikanto
• Kamallata
• Moru Teertho Hinglaj
• Saptapadi (film)
• Nayika Songbad
• Chiriyakhana
• Grihodaho
• Kokhono Megh
• Chhodmobeshi
• Dhonyee Meye
• Mouchak
• Stree
• Tinkori Haldar
• Khoka Babur Pratyabartan
• Pather Dabi
• Bhranti Bilas
• Raj Kumari
• Sister
• Jay Jayanti
• Sonar Khnacha
• Gali Theke Raj Path
• Jatyoo Griha
• Bagh Bandi
• Agnishwar
• Sonyasi Raja
• Harano Sur
• Chowringhee (film)
• Chhoti Si Mulaqat
• Sankhabela
• Amanush
• Sanyashi Raja
• Ananda Ashram
• Ogo Bodhu Sundori
• Sagorika
• Ekti Raat
• Desh Premee(Hindi)
• Kitaab(Hindi)

(This is by no means an exhaustive list) A Nayak (also Nayaka, Nayaker/Naicker (Tamil) or Nayadu/Naidu (Telegu) or Nair (Malayalam) Nayake/Naike (Sinhala) or Naik (Marathi) ) is the title of a government official, equivalent to a provincial governor or viceroy, in the Telugu kingdoms of southern India, including the Kakatiya kingdom of Warangal (11th-14th centuries... Chiriakhana or Chiriyakhana (meaning the zoo in Bengali) is the name of the Bengali cinema, by Satyajit Ray, starring Uttam Kumar, released in 1967. ... Saptapadi is a 1957 Bengali film by Ajoy Kar, starring Suchitra Sen, Uttam Kumar, Utpal Dutt and Pahari Sanyal. ... Desh Premee is a 1982 Hindi film directed by Manmohan Desai. ... Kitaab is a 1977 Hindi movie. ...

Tributes

"It is the demise of a leading light of the Bengali film industry…There isn't - there won't be another hero like him." -- Satyajit Ray Satyajit Ray (Bengali:  ) (May 2, 1921–April 23, 1992) was a Bengali Indian filmmaker and polymath. ...

External links

• Uttam Kumar at cinema section of Calcuttaweb.com
• Uttam Kumar's influence on Bollywood Films
• A Biography
• Another Biography
• Biography, filmography at Calcuttaweb
• Uttam Kumar @ SPICE
• Song by Uttam Kumar Himself