7 days ago
This Actor Was Once Called 'Flop Master General', Later Delivered 29 Hits With Top Heroine
When we talk about Bengali cinema, the first name that comes to mind is Uttam Kumar. Known as the 'Mahanayak' long before Amitabh Bachchan, Uttam Kumar left a lasting mark not just on Bengali films but on Indian cinema as a whole. However, his journey to stardom was far from easy. (News18 Hindi)
Uttam Kumar's real name was Arun Kumar Chatterjee. He was born on September 3, 1926, in the Ahiritola area of Kolkata. After completing his education, he briefly worked at the Kolkata Port Trust, but his passion for theatre soon drew him to the world of acting. (News18 Hindi)
He made his film debut in 1948 with Drishtidan, which failed at the box office. Unfortunately, it was just the beginning of a rough patch, with six more films flopping consecutively. The failures were so significant that people mockingly labelled him the 'Flop Master General'. (News18 Hindi)
But Uttam Kumar didn't give up. In 1952, he bounced back with Basu Paribar, a film that became a box office hit and changed his fortunes. From that point on, there was no looking back. In 1966, his performance in Satyajit Ray's Nayak, where he portrayed a superstar battling inner turmoil, took his career to new heights. The character of 'Arindam Mukherjee' mirrored Uttam's own life in many ways. Satyajit Ray himself praised his acting, calling him a true superstar. (News18 Hindi)
His on-screen pairing with Suchitra Sen was legendary in Bengali cinema. The two worked together in 30 films, including Sharey Chuattar, Saptapadi, Amar Prem, and Harano Sur. Remarkably, 29 of these were box office hits. Uttam Kumar once admitted in an interview that he might not have become the star he was without Suchitra Sen by his side. (News18 Hindi)
After conquering Bengali cinema, he also ventured into Hindi films. His most acclaimed Hindi film was Amanush (1975), directed by Shakti Samanta, which was released in both Hindi and Bengali. He also starred in films like Anand Ashram, Chhoti Si Mulakat, and Dooriyan. (News18 Hindi)
Uttam Kumar was recognised with several prestigious awards for his acting. In 1967, he won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his roles in Antony Firingee and Chiriyakhana. In 2009, the Indian Postal Department honoured him with a commemorative postage stamp. Kolkata also renamed a metro station as 'Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Metro Station' in his memory. (News18 Hindi)
Tragically, while shooting for the film Ogo Bodhu Shundori, he experienced chest pain on July 23, 1980, and drove himself to the hospital. Despite medical efforts, he passed away the next day, on July 24, 1980, at the age of 53. (News18 Hindi)
Uttam Kumar's life is a testament to resilience, talent, and the enduring power of cinema. From being written off early in his career to becoming a cultural icon, his journey continues to inspire generations. (News18 Hindi)
