Uttam Kumar

Uttam Kumar উত্তম কুমার
Uttam Kumar
Native name	Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay অরুণকুমার চট্টোপাধ্যায়
Born	Arun Kumar Chatterjee (1926-09-03)3 September 1926 Ahiritola, Calcutta, Bengal, British India
Died	24 July 1980(1980-07-24) (aged 53) Tollygunge, Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Occupation	Actor Producer Director, Music Director, Playback singer
Years active	1945–1980
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Spouse(s)	Gauri Chatterjee
Children	Gautam Chatterjee
Website	http://www.mahanayak.com/
Signature

Uttam Kumar (3 September 1926 – 24 July 1980) (born as Arun Kumar Chatterjee) was an Indian film actor, director, producer, singer and music composer, playback singer who predominantly worked in Indian Cinema.^[1] He is widely regarded as the greatest actor of Bengali cinema, and also among the greatest actors ever in India. Through his career he earned commercial as well as critical success, and he remains as an Indian cultural icon.^[2]

Considered as the most popular film star of Bengali cinema, Kumar managed to have a huge fan following, that mainly concentrated in the regions of West Bengal, India. He was a recipient of many awards over his lifetime, including National Film Award for Best Actor. A Metro Station in Kolkata was renamed in his honour.

Early life and family

Uttam Kumar was born in Kolkata at the home of his maternal uncle at Ahiritola, while his ancestral house is on 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, a college affiliated to the University of Calcutta. He could not complete his studies and started working at the Kolkata Port trust as a clerk. During this period, he acted in amateur theatre groups. His prodigious joint family had its own theatre group, the Suhrid Samaj, which staged many amateur shows.

Uttam Kumar was the eldest of three sons (Arun, Barun and Tarun) of Satkari Chatterjee and Chapala Debi. The youngest, whose screen name was Tarun Kumar, acted in several Bengali films and grew to become an actor of considerable repute, in screen and on stage. There are several films in which Uttam Kumar and Tarun Kumar starred together like Saptapadi, Sonar Harin, Maya Mriga, Sesh Anka, Deya Neya, Jeeban-Mrityu, Dhanyi Meye,Mon Niye, Sanyasi Raja, Kamal lata and Agniswar. Uttam Kumar married Gauri Debi [Chatterjee][nee Ganguly]. Their only son, Gautam, died for Down from Fifth Floor at the age of 59. His grandson, Gaurav Chatterjee^[3] is a Bengali television actor. Pulak Bandyopadhyay, a noted lyricist, was his uncle. Rajesh Khanna once said about Kumar: "He is the perfect ambassador of Indian cinema. No one carries Indian culture in a Kurta and Dhoti as well as he does."

Career

Debut and breakthrough

Uttam's first release was Drishtidan (The gift of sight, 1948) directed by Nitin Bose, though he worked in an earlier unreleased film called Mayador (Embrace of Affection). Then he acted in about four to five films, all of which were flops. In those films he constantly varied his name: Arun Chatterjee, Arun Kumar, Uttam Chatterjee and finally Uttam Kumar. He was dubbed as the 'Flop Master General'. When he entered the studio, people would laugh at him and comment "Here comes the new Durgadas..." "Meet the new Chabbi Biswas..". He considered leaving the world of cinema and start working at Calcutta Ports. But his wife, Gouri Chatterjee told him that it would be better if he did not to do a job his heart was not in. He later got the contact at M.P Studios for three years. M.P studios produced the film "Basu Paribar" in which he came into prominence, but his breakthrough film was Agni Pariksha in 1954 that began the success of the all-time romantic pair of Uttam Kumar - Suchitra Sen, though they had first paired in Sharey Chuattor (1953).The film ran for 65 weeks and established Uttam in the industry.

Commercial cinema in the form of films like Uttam Kumar starrer Basu Paribar (1952) and the iconic Uttam–Suchitra pairing in Sharey Chuattor (1953), did tremendous business. Explaining the emergence of parallel cinema at time when commercial cinema was doing extremely well with hero s like Uttam Kumar taking on a cult status, Soumitra Chatterjee, who starred in many of Satyajit Ray's films explained: "Uttam Kumar alone was not able to fulfill every part of the hero that Bengali audiences wished to see on the screen … there are different kinds of people in life … other kinds of young men, other kinds of romances … possibly that is why audiences found a parallel screen hero in myself."^[4]

On the background of the mass migration from the then East Pakistan to Calcutta, the Uttam-Suchitra pair gave expression to the yearnings of a new, transformed city. They played out on screen the new desires of a young audience trying to come to terms with industrial modernity and a new form of urban existence. The stylised, black-and-white romanticism of landmark Uttam-Suchitra films of the 1950s like "Agni Pariksha", "Shapmochan",Sagarika (1956), Shilpi (1956), or Harano Sur, Indrani, Sabar Uparey, Surjyo Toron reflected a novel, youthful urban desire to break free from the confines of the feudal joint family and set up a nucleated, private space for the couple in love. In contrast to the earlier phase of Bengali cinema mostly dominated by the dramatised style of the New Theaters' films (in the 1940s), the Uttam-Suchitra films were marked by a more naturalistic acting style, a bit dramatic-stylized, soft-focus black-and-white cinematography with chiaroscuro effects, and a more popular and modern form of music that broke away more decisively from earlier dependence on classical types. These features were put in place by a new generation of cinematographers like Dinen Gupta and Ajoy Kar, a fresh batch of directors (Kar himself,Sudhir Mukherjee, Naresh Mitra, Sushil Majumdar, the combines of Jatrik and Agradoot) and musicians like Nachiketa Ghosh, Rabin Chattopadhyay, Anupam Ghatak, Hemanta Mukherjee, Anil Bagchi, Sudhin Dasgupta and Salil Chowdhury, along with lyricists like Gauriprasanna Majumdar, Pranab Roy, Pulak Bandopadhyay. A number of them hailed from the left wing Indian People's Theater Association (IPTA) movement, popularly known as Gananatya Sangha.

Uttam Kumar was especially adored for his effortless naturalism in front of the camera and a distinctively urbane charisma that broke free from the prototypical Bengali screen hero of the past. He went on to form successful screen pairs with many leading ladies like Suchitra Sen, Supriya Choudhury, Sabitri Chatterjee, Madhabi Mukherjee, Sharmila Tagore, Anjana Bhaumick, Tanuja Samarth, Aparna Sen and Sumitra Mukherjee, apart from Sandhyarani in the 50s, Arundhati Debi and Mala Sinha in the 60s and Kaberi Bose and Tanuja in the 60s and 70s. He acted in Nayak by Satyajit Ray in which the master-director scripts the rise of a young actor with an ordinary background to a star sought after by one and all. In fact, this film may be considered as a tribute to Uttam Kumar. Often hailed as the one-man industry, Uttam Kumar dominated Bengali cinema for three decades until his death. This near-total reign was somewhat slightly disturbed during the politically turbulent era of the late sixties up to the Emergency, when Uttam Kumar's regular, politically passive or relatively conservative romantic film persona sometimes found it difficult to fit into the narratives of unrest that came to the fore.

Never quite satisfied with his undisputed matinée idol status, Uttam Kumar started experimenting with character roles early in his career, as evidenced by films like Khokababur Pratyabartan, (1960), Mayamriga, (1960) or Thana Theke Aschi (1965) and Bicharak. In Marutirtha Hinglaj (1959), he played a mentally disturbed character. In Kuhak he was a murderous thief, while in Sesh Anka, he was a suave businessman who had murdered his wife and was romantically engaged to the daughter of a social elite and rich nobleman. In Aparichita (1969) he also played the role of a villain. Such departures were unusual in relation to set formats of stardom in Indian popular cinematic cultures, where deviating from established 'star images' were often considered to be risky. However, this brought Uttam Kumar early recognition as a genuine actor of substance apart from a box office superstar and stood him in good stead later, especially in his collaborations with Satyajit Ray in Nayak (1966) and Chiriyakhana. A perfectionist, Uttam Kumar performed on stage for a full year, opposite Sabitri Chatterjee in Star Theatre in the play "Shyamali" [On screen, he played opposite Kaberi Bose]to hone up his skill as an actor.

Stardom and legacy

Apart from Bengali, Uttam Kumar also acted in 15 Hindi films such as Chhoti Si Mulaqat (along with Vyjayanthimala), Amanush, Anand Ashram, Dooriyaan (with Sharmila Tagore), Bandie with Sulakshana Pandit and Kitaab with Vidya Sinha etc.He was also offered the role of Rajendra Kumar in the Raj Kapoor starrer film Sangam but for some reason he refused the role.

Perhaps his most lauded appearances was in Satyajit Ray's Nayak (The Hero). It is now widely accepted that Ray wrote the script with Uttam in mind. Many people feel the film bears resemblance to Uttam Kumar's own life – the sense of anxiety and restlessness mirrored Uttam's insecurities about his phenomenal success and abiding fear that his superstardom might not last. Uttam made the role of Arindam (Mukherjee) his own and Ray later confessed that if Uttam had refused the film, he would have abandoned it. He worked with Ray the following year in Chiriyakhana (1967).^[5]

Uttam also worked with another great film director Tapan Sinha in his film Jhinder Bondi (with another great actor Soumitra chatterjee),

When the Indian government instituted the National Film Awards for National Film Award for Best Actor and National Film Award for Best Actress in 1967, Uttam Kumar was the first-ever recipient of the Best Actor Award for his performances in Antony Firingee and Chiriyakhana in 1967.

He explored new avenues of film-making by trying his hand at production, singing, composing music, screenplay writing and directing. The success of his Indian films as producer — Harano Sur, Saptapadi, Bhrantibilash, Jotugriha (1964), Grihadah — won greatest acclaim.On producing Chhoti Si Mulaqat in 1967, which was a Hindi film starring Uttam and Vyjayanthimala, Uttam almost used up all his savings, since the film had to be shot in colour and was shot in extravagant locations.Both Uttam and Vaijantimala has huge hopes associated with the film, but the film was a flop leading to great disappointment for Uttam Kumar. It was later said that this flop was one of the main reason for triggering heart attack which ultimately led to his death.^[6] Later, Uttam directed much-lauded films such as Sudhu Ekti Bochhor and Bon Palashir Padaboli. He composed music for the film Kaal Tumi Aleya in which Hemanta Mukherjee and Asha Bhonsle sang to his tune.

He came out with an authorised biography Amaar Ami in 1979-80. He had a phenomenal fan base which continues even to this day. In 1960, he started writing an autobiography named Harano Dinguli Mor {My Bygone Days}, but could not complete it.Parts of that book was published by the magazine Nabokallol.On the day Uttam died,the original manuscript was stolen.Later a member from Times of India had found the manuscript and the national library hepled to find old editions of Nabakallol and then the incomplete book was finally published in the 37th Calcatta Book Fair. As a singer, he recorded songs for the AIR - All India Radio - and very recently, an album of Tagore songs (Rabindrasangeet) sung by him, has been brought out.^[7]

There was a time, when at the heights of his popularity Uttam Kumar was approached to recite the Chandi Path in the AIR studios. Traditionally this had always been done by Birendra Krishna Bhadra. but there was a huge uproar amongst the audience about why Uttam Kumar had been chosen instead of Birendra Krishna. Uttam personally met Mr Bhadra and apologized and from the next year Mahalaya on AIR was again done by Birendra krishna Bhadra.^[8]

Reruns of his films on television decades after his death are still eagerly watched. Uttam Kumar’s time is considered by most as the golden era of Cinema of West Bengal.

Filmography

Late journalist Ramendra Trivedi, in his Modern Uttam, explained the incredible bankability of this star. From 1945 to 1980, both in Bengali and Hindi, Uttam Kumar acted in 217 films. In 1947, he got an offer for a brief role in a Hindi film called "Mayador." The film never saw the light of day. His first release was the Bengali film "Drishtidaan" (1948), directed by Nitin Bose. In the film Uttam was credited as Arun Kumar. The film was a flop. In 1949 he made his debut as the leading man in the film "Kamona," crediting him as Uttam Chatterjee. But this too bombed. By then the Industry had labelled him a "flop master." During this time he got married to Gauri Ganguli (in 1948). Fortunately for Uttam, "Basu Paribar" (1952), co-starring Sabitri Chatterjee, was a big hit.Uttam delivered another big hit "Sharey Chuattor" in 1953. After that everything was part of making history. Though trying out in Hindi movies was quite disappointing to him, because of his Bengali accent which did not much impressed audiences all over the country. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema and known by the honorific Mahanayak. Through his career he earned commercial as well as critical success, and he remains a cultural icon.

Uttam Kumar filmography

No Year Movie Director Co-stars Music Director Banner 1 1948 Drishtidan Nitin Bose Asit Baran, Sunanda Banerjee, Krishnachandra Dey, Chhabi Biswas, Sandhyarani Timir Baran Bhattacharya Bombay Talkies 2 1949 Kamona Nabendu Sundar Chhabi Roy Dwijen Chowdhury Kirti Pictures 3 1950 Maryada Digambar Chatterjee Pahari Sanyal, Smriti Biswas, Nripati Chatterjee, Nabadwip Haldar, Kamal Mitra Ramachandra Pal, Satinath Mukhopadhyay Bhabani Kalamandir Ltd 4 1951 Sahajatri Agradoot Bharati Devi Rabin Chattopadhyay M.P.Productions 5 Nastaneer Pashupati Chatterjee Sunanda Banerjee Rabin Chattopadhyay M.P.Productions 6 O Re Jatri Rajen Choudhury Anubha Gupta, Renuka Ray, Prabha Debi Kalipada Sen Kalpa Chitramandir 7 1952 Sanjibani Sukumar Dasgupta Sandhyarani, Jahar Ganguli Anupam Ghatak M.P.Productions 8 Basu Paribaar Nirmal Dey Sabitri Chatterjee, Supriya Chowdhury, Nepal Nag, Pahari Sanyal, Bhanu Banerjee Umapati Seal M.P.Productions 9 Kaar Paape Kaliprasad Ghosh Asit Baran, Chhabi Biswas, Manju Dey, Reba Devi Anupam Ghatak 10 1953 Sharey Chuattor Nirmal Dey Suchitra Sen, Bhanu Banerjee, Tulsi Chakraborty, Gurudas Banerjee Kalipada Sen M.P.Productions 11 Lakh Taka Niren Lahiri Bhanu Banerjee, Chhabi Biswas, Sabitri Chatterjee, Jahor Roy Shyamal Mitra, Niren Lahiri Satabdi Chitra Pratisthan 12 Nabin Jatra Subodh Mitra Maya Mukherjee, Tulsi Chakrabarti, Basanta Chaudhury, Molina Devi Pankaj Mullick New Theatres 13 Bou Thakuranir Haat Naresh Mitra Rama Devi, Pahari Sanyal, Manju Dey, Naresh Mitra Dwijen Chowdhury Emar Productions 14 1954 Maraner Pare Satish Dasgupta Suchitra Sen, Sombhu Mitra, Ajit Banerjee, Dhiraj Bhattacharya Sargam Unit Himalayan Art Producers 15 Ora Thake Odhare Sukumar Dasgupta Suchitra Sen, Chhabi Biswas, Bhanu Banerjee, Dhiraj Bhattacharya Kalipada Sen S.M.Productions 16 Champadangar Bou Nirmal Dey Sabitri Chatterjee, Anubha Gupta, Kanu Banerjee, Tulsi Chakraborty Manabendra Mukhopadhyay Nirmal Dey Productions 17 Annapurnar Mandir Naresh Mitra Suchitra Sen, Sabitri Chatterjee, Naresh Mitra, Anup Kumar Das Chitramandir 18 Agni Pariksha Agradoot Suchitra Sen, Kamal Mitra, Reba Bose Anupam Ghatak M.P.Productions 19 Moner Mayur Sushil Majumdar Bharati Devi, Suprabha Mukhopadhyay Satyajit Majumdar Rama Chhayachitra Ltd. 20 Grihaprabesh Ajoy Kar Suchitra Sen Mukul Ray Naba Chitrabharati Ltd. 21 Bakul Bholanath Mitra Arundhati Devi, Sobha Sen Pranab Dey New Theatres 22 Mantra Shakti Chitta Basu Sandhyarani, Anubha Gupta, Asit Baran, Bhanu Banerjee, Kanu Banerjee Umapati Seal H.N.C.Productions 23 Kalyani Niren Lahiri Sabitri Chatterjee, Anubha Gupta, Bikash Roy Anupam Ghatak Sunrise Films 24 Bratacharini Kamal Ganguly Sabitri Chatterjee, Sandhyarani Kamal Dasgupta Emkeji Productions Pvt. Ltd. 25 Sadanander Mela Sukumar Dasgupta Chhabi Biswas, Pahari Sanyal, Bhanu Banerjee, Tulsi Chakrabarti, Kanu Banerjee, Jahor Roy, Suchitra Sen, Padmadevi, Kalipada Sen Aurora Film Corporation Release 26 Bidhilipi Manu Sen Sabitri Chatterjee, Sandhyarani, Chhabi Biswas, Bikash Roy, Anup Kumar Das Kalipada Sen Rama Pictures 27 Anupama Agradoot Sabitri Chatterjee, Anubha Gupta, Anoop Kumar, Bikash Roy, Anup Kumar Das Anupam Ghatak M.P.Productions 28 1955 Upahar Tapan Sinha Sabitri Chatterjee, Chhabi Biswas, Kanu Banerjee, Tulsi Chakraborty, Nirmal Kumar Kalipada Sen Bani Chitram 29 Sabar Uparey Agradoot Suchitra Sen, Chhabi Biswas, Nitish Mukherjee Rabin Chattopadhyay M.P.Productions 30 Kankabatir Ghat Chitta Basu Sandhyarani, Kamal Mitra, Anubha Gupta 31 Raikamal Subodh Mitra Sabitri Chatterjee, Kaberi Bose, Nitish Mukherjee Pankaj Mullick Aurora Film Corporation 32 Debatra Haridas Bhattacharya Kanan Devi, Sipra Mitra, Jahor Roy, Anoop Kumar Kalipada Sen Srimathi Pictures 33 Saajher Pradip Sudhangshu Mukhopadhyay Suchitra Sen, Dhiraj Bhattacharya Manabendra Mukhopadhyay Srilekha Pictures 34 Hrad Ardhendu Sen Sandhyarani, Asit Baran, Chhabi Biswas, Jahor Roy, Tarun Kumar, Premangshu Bose Manabendra Mukhopadhyay Rupamaya 35 Shap Mochan Sudhir Mukherjee Suchitra Sen, Pahari Sanyal, Kamal Mitra Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Sudhir Mukherjee 36 1956 Trijama Agradoot Suchitra Sen, Chhabi Biswas, Anubha Gupta, Kamal Mitra Nachiketa Ghosh Sunrise Films 37 Shyamali Ajoy Kar Kaberi Bose, Anubha Gupta, Tulsi Chakraborty, Anoop Kumar Kalipada Sen Kalpana Movies Ltd 38 Shilpi Agragami Suchitra Sen, Kamal Mitra, Pahari Sanyal Rabin Chattopadhyay Agragami Productions 39 Shankar Narayan Bank Niren Lahiri Basanta Chaudhury, Kaberi Bose, Chhabi Biswas, Anubha Gupta. Anupam Ghatak Sunrise Films 40 Saheb Bibi Golam Kartick Chattopadhyay Chhaya Devi, Anubha Gupta, Kanu Banerjee, Chhabi Biswas, Padmadevi Rabin Chattopadhyay Sarkar Productions Pvt Ltd 41 Sagarika Agragami Suchitra Sen, Jahar Ganguli Rabin Chattopadhyay S.C.Productions 42 Putrabadhu Chitta Basu Sabita Chatterjee, Mala Sinha, Chhabi Biswas, Anoop Kumar Rajen Sarkar Sunrise Films 43 Nabajanma Debaki Bose Sabitri Chatterjee, Kanu Banerjee, Arundhati Devi Nachiketa Ghosh Deluxe Film 44 Laksha-Hira Chittaranjan Mitra Manju Dey, Kamal Mitra, Bikash Roy Kalipada Sen Kalpana Chitra Pratisthan Ltd 45 Ekti Raat Chitta Basu Suchitra Sen, Kamal Mitra, Pahari Sanyal, Sabita Bose Anupam Ghatak H.N.C.Productions 46 Chirakumar Sabha Debaki Bose Anita Guha, Jahar Ganguli, Nitish Mukherjee, Ajit Chatterjee Santosh Sengupta Dilip Pictures 47 Raat Bhore Mrinal Sen Sabitri Chatterjee, Chhabi Biswas, Chhaya Devi Salil Chowdhury S. B. Productions 48 1957 Surer Parashey Chitta Basu Mala Sinha, Chhabi Biswas, Kali Banerjee Anupam Ghatak Sunrise Films 49 Punar Milan Manu Sen Sabitri Chatterjee, Anil Chatterjee, Manju Dey Kalipada Sen Rama Chitram 50 Prithibi Amare Chaay Niren Lahiri Mala Sinha, Chhabi Biswas, Manju De, Asit Baran Nachiketa Ghosh H.N.C.Productions 51 Pathey Holo Deri Agradoot Suchitra Sen, Chhabi Biswas, Pahari Sanyal Rabin Chattopadhyay Agradoot Chitra 52 Harano Sur Ajoy Kar Suchitra Sen, Utpal Dutt, Pahari Sanyal Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Alochhaya Production Pvt. Ltd. 53 Chandranath Kartick Chattopadhyay Suchitra Sen, Kamal Mitra, Tulsi Chakraborty Rabin Chattopadhyay Screen Classics 54 Bardidi Ajoy Kar Sandhyarani, Dipti Roy Anil Bagchi Sarat Banichitra 55 Jatra Holo Shuru Santosh Ganguly Sabitri Chatterjee, Pahari Sanyal Rabin Chattopadhyay M.P.Productions Pvt. Ltd. 56 Tasher Ghar Mangal Chakraborty Sabitri Chatterjee, Chandrabati Devi, Tarun Kumar Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay National Films 57 Abhoyer Biye Sukumar Dasgupta Sabitri Chatterjee, Chhabi Biswas, Bikash Roy Rabin Chattopadhyay Sree Chitram 58 Harjeet Manu Sen Basanta Chaudhury, Anita Guha, Pahari Sanyal, Molina Debi Rabin Chattopadhyay R.R.Pictures (Pvt) Ltd. 59 Jiban Trishna Asit Sen Suchitra Sen, Bikash Roy Bhupen Hazarika Badal Pictures 60 1958 Suryatoran Agradoot Suchitra Sen, Bikash Roy Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Nabarun Chitra 61 Manmoyee Girls' School Hemchandra Chunder Arundhati Devi, Bhanu Banerjee Rajen Sarkar 62 Indrani Niren Lahiri Suchitra Sen, Chhabi Biswas Nachiketa Ghosh H.N.C.Productions 63 Daktar Babu Bishu Dasgupta Sabitri Chatterjee, Kajal Gupta Rajen Sarkar Movie Screen Pvt. Ltd. 64 Rajlakshmi O Srikanta Haridas Bhattacharya Suchitra Sen, Anil Chatterjee, Haridhan Mukherjee, Jahor Roy Jnanprakash Ghosh Srimati Pictures 65 Joutuk Bimal Mitra Sumitra Devi, Kamal Mitra, Tulsi Chakraborty, Jiben Bose Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Screen Classics 66 Bandhu Chitta Basu Mala Sinha, Chhabi Biswas, Asit Baran, Molina Debi Nachiketa Ghosh Ranjan Pictures Pvt. Ltd. 67 Shikar Mangal Chakraborty Arundhati Devi, Asit Baran, Dipak Mukhopadhyay, Nirmal Kumar Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay National Films 68 1959 Marutirtha Hinglaj Bikash Roy Sabitri Chatterjee, Anil Chatterjee, Bikash Roy, Pahari Sanyal Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Bikash Roy Production Pvt. Ltd 69 Khelaghar Ajoy Kar Mala Sinha, Chhabi Biswas Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay M.S.G.Productions 70 Gali Theke Rajpath Prafulla Chakraborty Sabitri Chatterjee, Chhabi Biswas, Bikash Roy, Tulsi Chakraborty Sudhin Dasgupta Asian Films 71 Chaoa Paoa Yatrik Suchitra Sen, Chhabi Biswas, Anil Chatterjee, Tulsi Chakraborty Nachiketa Ghosh Time Films 72 Bicharak Pravat Mukhopadhyay Arundhati Mukhopadhyay, Chhabi Biswas, Pahari Sanyal Timir Baran Bhattacharya Prabhat Productions 73 Sonar Harin Mangal Chakraborty Supriya Chowdhury, Chhabi Biswas, Kali Banerjee Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay National Pictures 74 Pushpadhanu Sushil Majumdar Arundhati Devi, Bhanu Banerjee, Nripati Chatterjee, Amar Mullick Rajen Sarkar Ashok Chitra 75 Abak Prithibi Bishu Chakraborty Sabitri Chatterjee, Tarun Kumar Amal Mukhopadhyay Goutam Chitram 76 1960 Shuno Baranari Ajoy Kar Supriya Chowdhury, Chhabi Biswas, Tulsi Chakraborty Rabin Chattopadhyay Apex Filmz 77 Raja-Saja Bikash Roy Sabitri Chatterjee, Tarun Kumar, Bikash Roy Kalipada Sen Chhayachitra Parishad Pvt. Ltd. 78 Maya Mriga Chitta Basu Biswajeet, Sandhya Roy, Sandhyarani, Sunanda Banerjee Manabendra Mukhopadhyay Emkeji Productions Pvt. Ltd. 79 Kuhak Agradoot Sabitri Chatterjee, Tarun Kumar, Premangshu Bose, Gangapada Basu Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay M.P.Productions 80 Haat Baralei Bandhu Sukumar Dasgupta Sabitri Chatterjee, Chhabi Biswas Nachiketa Ghosh S.M.Productions 81 Khokababur Pratyabartan Agradoot Sucharita Sanyal, Asit Baran Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Agradoot Chitra 82 Sakher Chor Prafulla Chakraborty Basabi Nandi, Chhabi Biswas Shyamal Mitra Rajkumari Chitramandir 83 Uttar Megh Jiban Ganguli Supriya Devi, Kamal Mitra Rabin Chattopadhyay J.M.Pictures 84 Saharer Itikatha Bishu Dasgupta Mala Sinha, Pahari Sanyal Rabin Chattopadhyay Kemira Films 85 1961 Sathi Hara Sukumar Dasgupta Mala Sinha, Tarun Kumar Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Badal Pictures 86 Saptapadi Ajoy Kar Suchitra Sen, Chhabi Biswas, Tarun Kumar, Pahari Sanyal Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Alochhaya Production Pvt. Ltd. 87 Dui Bhai Sudhir Mukhopadhyay Sabitri Chatterjee, Biswajeet, Sulata Chowdhury Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Film Enterprises 88 Jhinder Bandi Tapan Sinha Sandhya Roy, Soumitra Chattopadhyay, Tarun Kumar, Arundhati Devi Ali Akbar Khan B.N.Ray Productions 89 Agnisanskar Agradoot Supriya Devi, Anil Chattopadhyay Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Sree Bishnu Pictures P. Ltd 90 Necklace Dilip Nag Sunita, Chhabi Biswas Ali Akbar Khan V.M.N.Productions Pvt Ltd 91 1962 Kanna Agragami Nandita Bose, Sulata Chowdhury Sudhin Dasgupta Agragami Productions 92 Bipasha Agradoot Suchitra Sen, Chhabi Biswas Rabin Chattopadhyay Chitra Prayojak 93 Shiulibari Pijush Bose Arundhati Devi, Chhabi Biswas Arundhati Devi Movietalk Pvt Ltd 94 Aamar Desh Tapan Sinha Kali Bandyopadhyay, Anil Chattopadhyay Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Eastern India Motion Pictures Association 95 1963 Uttarayan Agradoot Sabitri Chatterjee, Supriya Chowdhury, Pahari Sanyal Rabin Chattopadhyay Parashmal Deepchand 96 Surya Sikha Salil Dutta Supriya Chowdhury, Chhabi Biswas, Utpal Dutt, Tarun Kumar, Asit Baran Rabin Chattopadhyay Chhayachhabi Pratisthan 97 Shesh Anka Haridas Bhattacharya Sharmila Tagore, Sabitri Chatterjee, Utpal Dutt, Tarun Kumar, Bikash Roy Pabitra Chattopadhyay Kalpana Movies Pvt Ltd 98 Bhranti Bilas Manu Sen Sabitri Chatterjee, Bhanu Bandopadhyay, Sandhya Roy Shyamal Mitra Uttam Kumar Films Pvt Ltd 99 Deya Neya Sunil Bandyopadhyay Tanuja, Kamal Mitra, Pahari Sanyal, Chhaya Devi Shyamal Mitra Rupchhaya Chitra 100 Nisithe Agragami Supriya Devi, Radhamohan Bhattacharya Sudhin Dasgupta Agragami Productions 101 Uttar Falguni Asit Sen Suchitra Sen, Bikash Roy, Pahari Sanyal Rabin Chattopadhyay Uttam Kumar Films Pvt Ltd 102 Bin Badal Barsat Jyoti Swaroop Asha Parekh, Biswajeet, Nishi Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Uttam Chitra 103 1964 Momer Alo Salil Dutta Sabitri Chatterjee, Utpal Dutt, Gita Dey Rabin Chattopadhyay Madhabi Pictures Pvt Ltd 104 Lal Pathar Sushil Majumdar Supriya Chowdhury, Nirmal Kumar, Srabani Basu Salil Chowdhury Esarbee Productions 105 Jotugriha Tapan Sinha Arundhati Devi, Anil Chatterjee, Bikash Roy Ashish Khan Uttam Kumar Films Pvt Ltd 106 Bibhas Binu Bardhan Lolita Chattopadhyay, Anubha Gupta Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Zenith Pictures 107 Natun Tirtha Sudhir Mukhopadhyay Sulata Chowdhury, Molina Debi Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Production Syndicate Pvt Ltd 108 1965 Surya Tapa Agradoot Sandhya Roy, Jahor Roy, Pahari Sanyal Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay H.G.Productions 109 Thana Theke Aaschhi Hiren Nag Madhabi Mukherjee, Dilip Mukhopadhyay Timir Baran Bhattacharya United Cine Producers 110 Rajkanya Sunil Bandyopadhyay Rina Ghosh, Chandrabati Debi Shyamal Mitra Rupchhaya Chitra 111 Do Dil Hrishikesh Mukherjee Rajshree, Biswajeet, Mehmood Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Uttam Chitra 112 1966 Rajdrohi Niren Lahiri Anjana Bhowmick, Kamal Mitra, Bikash Roy Ali Akbar Khan B.K.Productions 113 Shudhu Ekti Bachhar Uttam Kumar Supriya Devi, Tarun Kumar Rabin Chattopadhyay Chhayachhabi Pratisthan 114 Nayak Satyajit Ray Sharmila Tagore, Sumita Sanyal, Bireswar Sen, Kamu Mukherjee Satyajit Ray R.D.Bansal & Co. 115 Kal Tumi Aleya Sachin Mukherjee Supriya Devi, Tarun Kumar, Sabitri Chatterjee, Sumita Sanyal, Kamal Mitra Uttam Kumar Sree Loknath Chitram 116 Shankhabela Agragami Madhabi Mukherjee. Sudhin Dasgupta Anuradha Films 117 1967 Nayika Sangbad Agradoot Anjana Bhowmick, Anubha Gupta, Premangshu Bose, Pahari Sanyal Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay B.K.Productions 118 Chiriyakhana Satyajit Ray Shailen Mukherjee, Kanika Majumdar, Subhendu Chatterjee, Bankim Ghosh, Prasad Mukherjee Satyajit Ray Star Productions 119 Chhotisi Mulaqat Alo Sircar Vyjayanthimala, Rajendra Nath, Shashikala, Tarun Bose Shanker Jaikishen Our Movies 120 Antony Firingee Sunil Bandyopadhyay Tanuja, Lolita Chatterjee, Ruma Guha Thakurta, Tarun Kumar Anil Bagchi B.N.Ray Productions 121 Jiban Mrityu Hiren Nag, Biswanath Roy Supriya Devi, Bankim Ghosh, Tarun Kumar, Kamal Mitra Gopen Mullik B.M.D. Movie Pvt Ltd 122 Grihadaha Subodh Mitra Suchitra Sen, Sabitri Chatterjee, Pradeep Kumar, Pahari Sanyal Rabin Chattopadhyay Uttam Kumar Films Pvt. Ltd. 123 1968 Tin Adhyay Mangal Chakraborty Supriya Devi, Sandhya Roy, Anup Kumar, Bikash Roy Gopen Mullik Apsara Films 124 Kokhono Megh Agradoot Anjana Bhowmick, Kali Banerjee, Kamu Mukherjee, Bankim Ghosh Sudhin Dasgupta Chalachitra Bharati 125 Garh Nasimpur Ajit Lahiri Ruma Guha Thakurta, Kali Banerjee, Kamu Mukherjee, Bankim Ghosh Shyamal Mitra Shadow Productions 126 Chowringhee Pinaki Bhushan Mukhopadhyay Supriya Devi, Anjana Bhowmick, Subhendu Chatterjee, Biswajeet, Utpal Dutt, Tarun Kumar, Sukhen Das Asima Bhattacharya Pompi Films 127 1969 Chiradiner Agradoot Supriya Devi, Kamal Mitra, Sumita Sanyal, Mrinal Mukherjee, Bankim Ghosh Nachiketa Ghosh Anima Chitramandir 128 Aparachito Salil Dutta Soumitra Chatterjee, Sandhya Roy, Aparna Sen Rabin Chattopadhyay R.D.Productions 129 Kamallata Harisadhan Dasgupta Suchitra Sen, Tarun Kumar, Pahari Sanyal, Nirmal Kumar Rabin Chattopadhyay Charuchitra 130 Sabarmati Hiren Nag Supriya Devi, Chhaya Debi Gopen Mullik Sree Loknath Chitramandir 131 Mon Niye Salil Sen Supriya Devi, Bikash Roy Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay S.M.Films 132 Shuksari Sushil Majumdar Anjana Bhowmick, Subrata Chattopadhyay Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay B.K.Productions 133 1970 Manjari Opera Agradoot Sabitri Chatterjee, Ajoy Banerjee, Anup Kumar Sudhin Dasgupta Apolo Pictures 134 Kalankita Nayak Salil Dutta Sabitri Chatterjee, Utpal Dutt, Bikash Roy, Aparna Sen Rabin Chattopadhyay Baby June Productions 135 Nishi Padma Arabinda Mukhopadhyay Sabitri Chatterjee, Jahor Roy, Anup Kumar Nachiketa Ghosh Chirantan Chitra 136 Bilambita Loy Agragami Supriya Devi, Dipa Chattopadhyay Nachiketa Ghosh Anuradha Films 137 Duti Mon Pijush Bose Supriya Devi, Suparna Sen Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay S.S.Films 138 Rajkumari Salil Sen Tanuja, Chhaya Debi Rahul Dev Burman Lokenath Chitramandir 139 1971 Dhanyi Meye Arabinda Mukhopadhyay Sabitri Chatterjee, Jaya Bhaduri, Tapen Chatterjee, Sunil Das Gupta Nachiketa Ghosh Sree Productions 140 Chhadmabeshi Agradoot Madhabi Mukherjee, Subhendu Chatterjee, Anubha Gupta, Tarun Kumar, Bikash Roy, Jahor Roy Sudhin Dasgupta Chalachchitra Bharati 141 Alo Amar Alo Pinaki Bhushan Mukhopadhyay Suchitra Sen, Bikash Roy, Anubha Gupta, Bankim Ghosh Pabitra Chattopadhyay Charu Chitra 142 Joyjayanti Sunil Basu Mullik Aparna Sen, Lolita Chattopadhyay Manabendra Mukhopadhyay M.K.G.Productions Pvt Ltd 143 Ekhane Pinjar Yatrik Aparna Sen, Dilip Mukhopadhyay Bhupen Hazarika Kalamandir 144 Jiban Jiggasa Pijush Bose Supriya Devi, Dilip Mukhopadhyay Shyamal Mitra B.M.D.Movies Pvt Ltd 145 Nabaraag Bijoy Bose Suchitra Sen, Bikash Roy Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay S.M.Films 146 1972 Stree Salil Dutta Soumitra Chatterjee, Arati Bhattacharya, Sulata Chowdhury Nachiketa Ghosh Baby June Production 147 Har Mana Har Salil Sen Suchitra Sen, Lolita Chatterjee, Mrinal Mukherjee, Bikash Roy Sudhin Dasgupta Sabak Chitrashilpa Pvt Ltd 148 Memsaheb Pinaki Bhushan Mukhopadhyay Aparna Sen, Subrata Chattopadhyay Asima Bhattacharya Sabak Chitrashilpa Pvt Ltd 149 Andha Atit Hiren Nag Supriya Devi, Kali Banerjee Shyamal Mitra Usha Films 150 Biraj Bou Manu Sen Madhabi Mukherjee, Anup Kumar Kalipada Sen K.C.Das Production 151 Chhinnapatra Yatrik Madhabi Mukherjee, Supriya Devi Nachiketa Ghosh Kalamandir 152 1973 Sonar Khancha Agradoot Aparna Sen, Sulata Chowdhury, Subrata Chatterjee, Tarun Kumar Bireswar Sarkar Sarkar Films 153 Kayahiner Kahini Ajoy Kar Aparna Sen, Sulata Chowdhury, Bikash Roy, Tarun Kumar, Pahari Sanyal Mukul Ray Mukul Ray Productions 154 Bonpalashir Padabali Uttam Kumar Supriya Devi, Anil Chatterjee, Madhabi Mukherjee, Bikash Roy, Sipra Mitra Nachiketa Ghosh, Satinath Mukhopadhyay, Dwijen Mukhopadhyay, Adhir Bagchi, Shyamal Mitra Shilpi Sansad 154 Raudro Chhaya Sachin Adhikari Anjana Bhowmick, Tarun Kumar Sukumar Mitra S.B.Enterprise 156 Raater Rajanigandha Ajit Ganguli Aparna Sen, Pahari Sanyal Sudhin Dasgupta A.R.C.Productions 157 1974 Jadu Bansha Partha Pratim Chowdhury Aparna Sen, Sharmila Tagore, Dhritiman Chatterjee Partha Pratim Chowdhury Montage Films 158 Alor Thikana Bijoy Bose Aparna Sen, Anil Chatterjee Nachiketa Ghosh Sree Production 159 Jadi Jantem Yatrik Supriya Devi, Soumitra Chatterjee, Ruma Guha Thakurta, Asit Baran Himangshu Biswas Chitrajug 160 Amanush Shakti Samanta Sharmila Tagore, Anil Chattopadhyay Shyamal Mitra Shakti Films 161 Bikele Bhorer Phul Pijush Bose Sumitra Mukhopadhyay, Utpal Dutt Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay K.L.Kapoor Productions 162 Raktatilak Biswajeet Supriya Devi, Alka Ganguli Pradip Raychowdhury Trio Films 163 Rodan Bhara Basanta Sushil Mukhopadhyay Basabi Nandi, Dilip Ray, Pahari Sanyal Amal Mukhopadhyay Empar Films 164 1975 Sanyasi Raja Piyush Bose Supriya Chowdhury, Sulata Chowdhury, Tarun Kumar, Robin Banerjee Nachiketa Ghosh Usha Films 165 Agniswar Arabinda Mukhopadhyay Madhabi Mukherjee, Sumitra Mukhopadhyay Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Prativa Pictures 166 Mouchak Arabinda Mukhopadhyay Sabitri Chatterjee, Mithu Mukhopadhyay, Ranjit Mallick Nachiketa Ghosh Pratima Pictures 167 Kajallata Bikash Roy Aparna Sen, Bikash Roy Nachiketa Ghosh Bibek Productions 168 Ami Se O Sakha Mangal Chakraborty Anil Chattopadhyay, Asit Baran Shyamal Mitra S.D.Productions 169 Nagar Darparne Yatrik Dilip Mukhopadhyay, Koushik Bose Nachiketa Ghosh Sree Giridhari Pictures 170 Priyo Bandhabi Hiren Nag Suchitra Sen, Dilip Mukhopadhyay Nachiketa Ghosh M.S.Productions 171 Baghbondir Khela Pijush Bose Supriya Devi, Partha Mukhopadhyay Dipankar Chattopadhyay Asima Bhattacharya 172 1976 Sei Chokh Salil Dutta Sabitri Chatterjee, Sulata Chowdhury, Utpal Dutt, Mahua Roy Chowdhury Nachiketa Ghosh Gitali Pictures 173 Banhisikha Pijush Bose Supriya Devi, Ranjit Mallick Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Sree R.S.Productions 174 Nidhiram Sardar Rabi Ghosh Aparna Sen, Nandita Bose Ananda Shankar Subhadeep Chitram 175 Hotel Snow Fox Yatrik Mithu Mukhopadhyay, Biju Phukan Nachiketa Ghosh Chitrayug 176 Anandamela Mangal Chakraborty Supriya Devi, Utpal Dutt Nachiketa Ghosh Ananda Chitra 177 Mombati Yatrik Anil Chattopadhyay, Dilip Mukhopadhyay Nachiketa Ghosh Kwality Pictures 178 Chander Kachhakaachhi Yatrik Satya Bandyopadhyay, Tarun Kumar Rabin Chattopadhyay Badal Pictures 179 1977 Anand Ashram Shakti Samanta Sharmila Tagore, Ashok Kumar, Rakesh Roshan, Moushumi Chatterjee, Utpal Dutt Shyamal Mitra Shakti Films 180 Kitaab Gulzar Vidya Sinha, Shriram Lagoo, Raju Shrestha R.D. Burman Pranlal Mehra & Gulzar 181 Sabyasachi Pijush Bose Supriya Devi, Anil Chattopadhyay Uttam Kumar Usha Films 182 Rajbangsha Pijush Bose Arati Bhattacharya, Prema Narayan Shyamal Mitra Usha Films 183 Bhola Moira Pijush Ganguli Supriya Devi, Bikash Roy Anil Bagchi Piyali Pictures 184 Sister Pijush Bose Supriya Devi, Santosh Dutta Salil Chowdhury Voice and Vision of India 185 Asadharan Salil Sen Arati Bhattacharya, Utpal Dutt Nachiketa Ghosh Chandrika Films 186 Jal Sannyasi Salil Sen Arati Bhattacharya, Chhaya Debi Shyamal Mitra Usha Films 187 1978 Dui Purush Sushil Mukhopadhyay Supriya Devi, Lily Chakravarty, Tarun Kumar, Dilip Roy Adhir Bagchi S.S.Productions 188 Bandi Alo Sircar Indrani Mukherjee, Sulakshana Pandit, Utpal Dutt, Amjad Khan, Amrish Puri, Helen Shyamal Mitra Eagle Films 189 Nishan S.S.Balan Arati Bhattacharya, Sekhar Chattopadhyay Shyamal Mitra Gemini Production Circuit Pvt Ltd 190 Dhanraj Tamang Pijush Bose Sandhya Ray, Utpal Dutt Shyamal Mitra Usha Films 191 1979 Sreekanter Will Dinen Gupta Sumitra Mukhopadhyay, Ranjit Mallick, Bikash Roy, Sadhana Roychoudhury Salil Chowdhury Jaganmata Films 192 Dooriyaan Bhimsain Sharmila Tagore, Shriram Lagoo, Priyadarshinee Jaidev Bhimsain 193 Debdas Dilip Roy Soumitra Chatterjee, Supriya Devi, Sumitra Mukhopadhyay Kalipada Sen S.S.Productions 194 Samadhan Jayanta Bose Sumitra Mukhopadhyay, Deepankar De Adhir Bagchi Archana Pictures 195 Brajabuli Pijush Bose Sabitri Chatterjee, Jahor Roy Nachiketa Ghosh Ranjana Ghosh 196 Sunayani Sukhen Das Subhendu Chattopadhyay, Dilip Ray Ajoy Das Pinky Enterprise 197 Naba Diganta Palash Bandyopadhyay Sumitra Mukhopadhyay, Chhaya Debi Kalipada Sen Phultulsi Pictures 198 1980 Dui Prithibi Pijush Bose Supriya Devi, Ranjit Mallick Ananda Shankar Shilpi Sansad 199 Raja Saheb Palash Bandyopadhyay Sandhya Ray, Asim Chakraborty Ajoy Das Palash Bandyopadhyay Productions 200 Pankhiraj Pijush Bose Soumitra Chatterjee, Utpal Dutt Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay Usha Films 201 Aaro Ekjon Srijan Sumitra Mukhopadhyay, Samit Bhanja Sumit Ray Baba Taraknath Chitramandir 202 Rajnandini Sukhen Das Sumitra Mukhopadhyay, Sukhen Das Ajoy Das S.D.Films 203 Darpachurna Dilip Roy Soumitra Chatterjee, Sandhya Ray, Deepankar De Kalipada Sen Narugopal Productions 204 1981 Surya Sakhi Agradoot Shakuntala Barua, Mahua Raychowdhury Prabir Majumdar Manju Films 205 Plot No. 5 Yogesh Saxena Amol Palekar, Amjad Khan, Sarika, Vidya Sinha, Amjad Khan Salil Chowdhury Jerooant & Yogesh 206 Ogo Bodhu Shundori Salil Dutta Moushumi Chatterjee, Santosh Dutta, Sumitra Mukhopadhyay, Ranjit Mallick, Bikash Roy Bappi Lahiri Kamal Bansal 207 Kalankini Kankabati Uttam Kumar Mithun Chakraborty, Supriya Devi, Sharmila Tagore, Asit Baran, Santu Mukherjee Rahul Dev Burman Subrato Mukhopadhyay 208 Khana Baraha Bijoy Bose Sandhya Ray, Ruma Guha Thakurta Shyamal Mitra Asim Sarkar 209 Pratisodh Sukhen Das Soumitra Chatterjee, Subhendu Chatterjee Ajoy Das Ratna Film Corporation 210 1982 Desh Premee Manmohan Desai Amitabh Bachchan, Shammi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Sharmila Tagore, Parveen Babi Laxmikant-Pyarelal Subhash Desai 211 Imon Kalyan Shantimoy Supriya Devi, Deepankar De Chandidas Bose Chirantan Chitra

Awards

National Film Awards

• National Film Award for Best Actor for Chiriyakhana and Antony Firingee in 1968 in 15th National Film Award (he was the first actor to get that. The very same year when actress Nargis got best actress award for Raat Aur Din)
• 1961: Certificate of Merit for Second Best Feature Film in Bengali - Saptapadi^[9]
• 1963 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali:Uttar Falguni (as producer)^[10]
• Recognition from the Government of India for Harano Sur (1955)

Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

• B.F.J.A Best Actor Award for Hrod (1955)
• B.F.J.A Best Actor award for Saptapadi (1961). Uttam Kumar received the award from the legendary film-maker Debaki Bose.
• B.F.J.A Best Actor award for Nayak (1966). Attended the Berlin Film Festival as a distinguished guest.
• B.F.J.A Best Actor award for Grihadaha (1967).
• B.F.J.A Best Actor award for Ekhane Pinjar (1971).
• B.F.J.A Best Actor award for Amanush (1974).
• B.F.J.A Best Actor award for Bahnisikha (1976).

Other Awards

• Best Actor award from Prosad magazine for Stri (1973). He received the award from Kanan Devi.
• Filmfare Award for greatest Actor Amanush (1975).
• He received the Best "greatest Actor" MAHANAYAK award for the same film from the Government of India on 25 November 1975. The price was worth 500000 rupees.
• Best Actor award both from the Prosad magazine and Sanonskritik Sanbadik Sanostha for Anand Ashram (1977).

"Evergreen" Award for "Anand Ashram" (1977)

Uttam-Suchitra

The on-screen chemistry between Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen has always been much adored and admired. Both of them together constituted the evergreen and popular romantic pair of Bengali Cinema till date. Some of Uttam's famous films co-starring Suchitra Sen include "Share Chuattor", "Agni Pariksha", "Shilpi", Saptapadi (Seven Steps),^[11][12] Pathe Holo Deri (Delay on the road), Harano Sur (Lost Music), Chaowa Paowa (Wish and Achievement), Bipasha, Jiban Trishna (Thirst for Life), Sagarika, Trijama, Indrani, Sabar Upare, Surjyo Toron, Rajlakshmi O Sreekanto, "Ekti Raat", "Grihadaha", Kamallata, Har Mana Har, Alo Amar Alo.^[13][14]

Uttam-Supriya

Shonar Harin (1959) saw Supriya Devi (who would win great accolades for her performance in Ritwik Ghatak's Meghe Dhaka Tara the following year) play the lead opposite Uttam Kumar. As they began to act in more films together, the two got involved off-screen as well. In 1963, Uttam left his family home at Girish Mukherjee Road, Bhowanipur and stayed with Supriya for the next 17 years till his death. They starred together in several other films like Uttarayan, Chiradiner, Agni Sanskar", "Suno Baranari", "Kal Tumi Aleya", "Lal Pathor", "Andha Ateet", "Sudhu Ekti Bochhor", "Mon Niye", "Bilambita Loy", "Bhola Maira", "Sanyasi Raja, "Bon Palashir Padabali", Sister (1977), "Jibon Mrityue","Bagh Bandir Khela" etc.^[15]

Uttam-Sabitri

Appreciated by many to be most talented of Bengali heroines, Sabitri Chatterjee was ardently admired by the Mahanayak as his most powerful heroine. Together, they performed in a number of blockbusters and superhits, few of which are acclaimed as evergreen comedies. Uttam-Sabitri starrers include "Abhoyer Biye", "Hat Barelei Bandhu", "Dui Bhai", "Kuhak", "Nishi Padma" (1970), "Bhrantibilash", "Momer Alo", "Kalankita Nayak"[also starring Aparna Sen], "Dhanyee Meye" and "Mouchak". In a radio interview, the actress recorded her admiration to Uttam Kumar for taking up challenging roles like that of Raicharan in "Khokababur Pratyabartan", the judge in "Bicharak" and police officer in "Thana Theke Aaschhi" at a time when he was at the height of popularity as a matinee idol of Indian cinema.

Death

A workaholic, he was rumoured to have said that his preferred demise would be on the floor of a studio, doing what he loved best: acting. While filming Ogo Bodhu Shundori in 1980 Uttam Kumar suffered a stroke and was admitted to the Belleveue Clinic. The doctors did their best for 16 hours but he died that night on 24 July 1980 at the age of 54. As his death body found its way across Bhowanipur and finally to the Keoratala Burning Ghat, traffic in Kolkata came to a halt as thousands flocked the streets to pay their respects and have a last glimpse of the legend.^[16][17]

Tributes and appreciations

There is a theatre (Uttam Mancha) named after him in Kolkata. A life-size statue has been erected near Tollygunj metro station which has recently been renamed after the iconic actor by the Central Railway Ministry.^[18] Besides, Shilpi Sansad, the actor's pet project of safegurading the artistes especially the poor and the old, is active still. Celebrating the 89rd birth anniversary of Uttam Kumar, the Department of Posts in 2009, released a series of new postal stamps featuring the actor on them.The Department of Posts also released a brochure on the Uttam Kumar Stamp release with a note that says "Uttam Kumar – The Legend of Indian Cinema". "The government of india" release 19TH JUNE 2015 "UTTAM" AWARD for Best acting.^[19]

Distinguished names paying homage to Uttam

• Satyajit Ray

"It is the demise of a leading light of the Bengali film industry...There isn't - there won't be another hero like him."^[20]

• Tapan Sinha

"I personally felt that the acting of Uttam Kumar could be compared to the best actor of any country. His great attribute is his diligence...Many are born with talent, but the talent gets eclipsed due to the lack of diligence. Uttam Kumar has both of them. Perhaps, that is the reason why he still sparkles."

• Suchitra Sen

"Uttam is my friend. In a word, he is a great, great artist. But still sometimes I feel as if he is not properly exploited."

• Vyjayanthimala

"Uttam Kumar was the most gifted actor I ever worked with. His first Hindi film, Chhoti Si Mulaqat, was opposite me in 1967... Uttam Kumar was thoroughly professional, cooperative and lip-synced perfectly, especially on "Aye Chand" and "Tujhe Dekha". He lip-synched songs rendered by Hemant Kumar, Manna Dey and Mohammed Rafi as if he was singing them. I was criticised for Chhoti Si Mulaqat but Uttam Kumar never criticized me"^[21]

• Shakti Samanta

"Uttam was a great human being...it can easily be underscored -- actor of his class is a rare kind"

• Madhabi Mukherjee

"...slowly Uttam Kumar got popular. And a fairy tale was born. I was never bothered to know the individual self of the romantic hero of this fairy tale. I would never want to. What if the dream gets shattered! Let the beautiful spell be alive! Long live Uttam Kumar -- The evergreen romantic hero."

• Kanan Devi

"It feels good to see all praising one. Uttam is one such person... He never had any pose or pretension... God gave him everything but a friend."

• Samaresh Basu

"Uttam Kumar, the numero uno hero of Bengal, the most loving."

• Soumitra Chatterjee

"If Uttam Kumar committed a crime and then he gave that smile, I was ready to believe he was innocent."^[22]

• Bimal Mitra

"Sri Uttam Kumar is not merely the actor, I regard him as the creator of character. May be as the creator of character, he has achieved such stupendous popularity."

• Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay

"He is the Great Hero and life of many of my fictions."

• Ashapoorna Devi

"Uttam! An extraordinary artist! The artistic self of Uttam Kumar never dies down! Oh God give him Uttam health, Uttam strength, Uttam longevity." (in Sanskrit and in Bengali, 'Uttam' means 'Excellent')

• Mithun Chakraborty

"Uttam Kumar is my guru. From my childhood, I am a die hard Uttam fan."

• Soumitra Chatterjee

"Many think that I have always been a sharp critic of Uttam Kumar's acting. This is not true. I have rarely seen actor of his stature. I have been fan of his acting, his admirer."

• Rajesh Khanna

"I have seen so many dhuti, kurta-clad Bengalis both on screen and in reality. But Uttam Kumar as the Bengali babu is unique. What I believe is that there is no one who can ever represent the Bengali community like Uttamda did."

• Shatrughan Sinha

"Usually, what we find is that the good-looking guys lack substance, or the reverse. But Uttam Kumar had the both...I have always respected that man... when I was at Pune Film Institute, we used to argue on Dilip Kumar-Uttam Kumar-Raj Kapoor."

• Shashi Kapoor

"My first real meet with Uttam Kumar was in Calcutta and the occasion was the release of Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai. Hemen Ganguly happened to be the distributor of that film. He used to be the 'common friend' of elder brother (Raj Kapoor) and Uttam Kumar. It was my pleasure to see the two greats together. I was awestruck by the royal gaits of the both... I like Uttam Kumar."

• Hindustan Standard (on Uttam Kumar's directorial debut)

"In Uttam Kumar, we have found a director who shows his brilliance on diverse levels."

Respects

The Tollygunge metro station of Kolkata Metro was renamed as "Mahanayak Uttam Kumar" and decorated the station by movie pictures of Uttam Kumar by Indian Railways.^[23]

"Mumbai" Film Festival 2015 has a special screening of the Mahanayak's "UTTAM" award.

References

External links

• Uttam Kumar at the Internet Movie Database
• Uttam Kumar movies
• Uttam Kumar's filmography