Remembering Bengali cinema’s legendary actor Uttam Kumar on his 91st birth anniversary.
Considered one of the finest actors of Indian cinema, Uttam Kumar (born Arun Kumar Chatterjee) is called the ‘Mahanayak’. This multifaceted actor, director, producer, music composer and singer left an indelible mark on Bengali cinema.
Uttam Kumar made his film debut with Drishtidan (1948) directed by Nitin Bose. Then a string of unsuccessful movies followed which almost forced him to quit acting. Then his breakthrough film came through — — Agni Pariksha in 1954 in which he was cast opposite the very talented Suchitra Sen. This pair became of the most legendary pairs of Indian cinema and they did a number of movies together such as Share Chuattor, Shilpi, Saptapadi ,Pathe Holo Deri , Harano Sur, Chaowa Paowa, Bipasha, Jiban Trishna, Sagarika, Trijama, Indrani, Sabar Upare, Surjyo Toron, Rajlakshmi O Sreekanto, Ekti Raat, Grihadaha, Kamallata, Har Mana Har and Alo Amar Alo.
His performance in Satyajit Ray’s ‘Nayak’ is one of the most remembered. Uttam Kumar received a number of awards and recognition for his work including the National Award for Best Actor.
Apart from being a big star in Bangla films, Uttam Kumar is also known for his performances in some Bollywood films like Chhoti Si Mulaquat, Amanush, Anand Ashram, Kitaab and Dooriyan.
