Uttam Kumar

Uttam Kumar (born Arun Kumar Chatterjee; 3 September 1926 – 24 July 1980) aka Mahanayak was an Indian film actor who predominantly worked in Bengali cinema.

Perhaps his most lauded appearance 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).

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 the 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 color and was shot in extravagant locations. Both Uttam and Vyjayanthimala had 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 reasons for triggering the heart attack, which ultimately led to his death. 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 Bhosle sang to his tune.

He came out with an authorized biography Aamar 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 were 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 helped to find old editions of Nabakallol and then the incomplete book was finally published in the 37th Calcutta 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.

There was a time when at the heights of his popularity Uttam Kumar was approached to recite the Chandi Path in the All India Radio (AIR) studios. Traditionally this had always been done by Birendra Krishna Bhadra. But there was a huge uproar amongst the audience as to 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 Bhadra.

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 Bengali cinema.

Uttam-Suchitra combination

The on-screen chemistry between Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen have 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, 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, Alo Amar Alo.

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 Atit, Sudhu Ekti Bochhor, Mon Niye, Bilambita Loy, Bhola Maira, Sanyasi Raja, Bon Palashir Padabali, Sister, Jibon Mrityue, Bagh Bandi Khela.

Personal life

Uttam Kumar married Gauri Chatterjee in 1948 and got divorced in 1963. Later, he married actress Supriya Devi in 1963 and lived with her till his death.

A 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. While filming Ogo Bodhu Shundori in 1980 Uttam Kumar suffered a stroke and was admitted to the Belle Vue Clinic. The doctors did their best for 16 hours but he died that night on 24 July 1980 at the age of 53. As his dead 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.

National Film Awards

·        1955: Recognition from the Government of India for Harano Sur.

·        1961: 9th National Film Awards – Certificate of Merit for Second Best Feature Film in Bengali – Saptapadi

·        1963: 11th National Film Awards – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali:Uttar Falguni (as producer)

·        1968: National Film Award for Best Actor for Chiriyakhana and Antony Firingee in 15th National Film Award (he was the first actor to get that. The very same year when actress Nargis got the best actress award for Raat Aur Din)

Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards.

·        1962: B.F.J.A Best Actor award for Saptapadi. Uttam Kumar received the award from the legendary film-maker, Debaki Bose.

·        1967: B.F.J.A Best Actor award for Nayak. Attended the Berlin Film Festival as a distinguished guest.

·        1968: B.F.J.A Best Actor award for Grihadaha.

·        1972: B.F.J.A Best Actor award for Ekhane Pinjar.

·        1973: B.F.J.A Best Actor award for Stree.

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·        1975: B.F.J.A Best Actor award for Amanush.