Uttam Kumar - Revision history

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2026-04-19T05:39:00Z

formatting fix

Anupmondal at 20:01, 25 June 2023

2023-06-25T20:01:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:31, 26 June 2023
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	[[File:Uttam-Kumar-and-Suchitra-Sen-in-Bangla-Movie-Harano-Sur---1957.jpg\|thumb\|Kumar and Suchitra Sen in ''[[Harano Sur]]'']]		[[File:Uttam-Kumar-and-Suchitra-Sen-in-Bangla-Movie-Harano-Sur---1957.jpg\|thumb\|Kumar and Suchitra Sen in ''[[Harano Sur]]'']]

	~~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 (1954 film)\|Agni Pariksha]]'', ''Shilpi'', ''[[Saptapadi (1961 film)\|Saptapadi]]'',<ref name=telegraph11>{{Cite news\|title=how Saptapadi shattered stereotypes\|newspaper=The Telegraph\|date = 9 December 2009\|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091209/jsp/calcutta/story_11837493.jsp\|access-date=15 August 2010\|first=Mohua\|last=Das\|archive-date=13 February 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213192843/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091209/jsp/calcutta/story_11837493.jsp\| url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=telegraph10>{{Cite news\|title = Saptapadi bike still road-worthy\| newspaper = The Telegraph\| date = 16 December 2008\| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081216/jsp/calcutta/story_10256590.jsp?headline=&URL=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081216/jsp/calcutta/story_10256590.jsp&issuedate=Tuesday+,+December+16+,+2008 \| access-date = 15 August 2010\| first1 = Kushali\| last1 = Nag\| first2 = Sanjoy\| last2 = Chattopadhyaya\|archive-date = 25 October 2012\|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025132346/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081216/jsp/calcutta/story_10256590.jsp?headline=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraphindia.com%2F1081216%2Fjsp%2Fcalcutta%2Fstory_10256590.jsp&issuedate=Tuesday+%2C+December+16+%2C+2008\| url-status = live}}</ref> ''Pathe Holo Deri'', ''[[Harano Sur]]'', ''[[Chaowa Pawa (1959 film)\|Chaowa Paowa]]'', ''[[Bipasha (1962 film)\|Bipasha]]'', ''Jiban Trishna'', ''Sagarika'', ''Trijama'', ''Indrani'', ''Sabar Upare'', ''Surjyo Toron'', ''Rajlakshmi O Sreekanto'', "Ekti Raat", "Grihadaha", ''Kamallata'', ''Har Mana Har'', ''Alo Amar Alo''.<ref name=telegraph8>{{Cite news\|title = When the Bhadralok opens his doors to the others\| newspaper = The Telegraph\|date = 27 August 2009\|url= http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090827/jsp/opinion/story_11410877.jsp \|access-date = 15 August 2010\|archive-date = 25 October 2012\|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025132403/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090827/jsp/opinion/story_11410877.jsp\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=telegraph9>{{Cite news\|title=Forever Suchitra\|newspaper=The Telegraph\|date=21 March 2010\|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100321/jsp/7days/story_12242954.jsp\|access-date=15 August 2010\|archive-date=25 May 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525125322/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100321/jsp/7days/story_12242954.jsp\|url-status=live}}</ref>		Uttam Kumar and [[Suchitra Sen]] appeared together in many films. 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 (1954 film)\|Agni Pariksha]]'', ''Shilpi'', ''[[Saptapadi (1961 film)\|Saptapadi]]'',<ref name=telegraph11>{{Cite news\|title=how Saptapadi shattered stereotypes\|newspaper=The Telegraph\|date = 9 December 2009\|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091209/jsp/calcutta/story_11837493.jsp\|access-date=15 August 2010\|first=Mohua\|last=Das\|archive-date=13 February 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213192843/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091209/jsp/calcutta/story_11837493.jsp\| url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=telegraph10>{{Cite news\|title = Saptapadi bike still road-worthy\| newspaper = The Telegraph\| date = 16 December 2008\| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081216/jsp/calcutta/story_10256590.jsp?headline=&URL=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081216/jsp/calcutta/story_10256590.jsp&issuedate=Tuesday+,+December+16+,+2008 \| access-date = 15 August 2010\| first1 = Kushali\| last1 = Nag\| first2 = Sanjoy\| last2 = Chattopadhyaya\|archive-date = 25 October 2012\|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025132346/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081216/jsp/calcutta/story_10256590.jsp?headline=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraphindia.com%2F1081216%2Fjsp%2Fcalcutta%2Fstory_10256590.jsp&issuedate=Tuesday+%2C+December+16+%2C+2008\| url-status = live}}</ref> ''Pathe Holo Deri'', ''[[Harano Sur]]'', ''[[Chaowa Pawa (1959 film)\|Chaowa Paowa]]'', ''[[Bipasha (1962 film)\|Bipasha]]'', ''Jiban Trishna'', ''Sagarika'', ''Trijama'', ''Indrani'', ''Sabar Upare'', ''Surjyo Toron'', ''Rajlakshmi O Sreekanto'', "Ekti Raat", "Grihadaha", ''Kamallata'', ''Har Mana Har'', ''Alo Amar Alo''.<ref name=telegraph8>{{Cite news\|title = When the Bhadralok opens his doors to the others\| newspaper = The Telegraph\|date = 27 August 2009\|url= http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090827/jsp/opinion/story_11410877.jsp \|access-date = 15 August 2010\|archive-date = 25 October 2012\|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025132403/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090827/jsp/opinion/story_11410877.jsp\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=telegraph9>{{Cite news\|title=Forever Suchitra\|newspaper=The Telegraph\|date=21 March 2010\|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100321/jsp/7days/story_12242954.jsp\|access-date=15 August 2010\|archive-date=25 May 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525125322/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100321/jsp/7days/story_12242954.jsp\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	''[[Sonar Harin]]'' 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 Bandir Khela''.<ref name=telegraph12>{{Citation \| title = Live-in genes \| newspaper = The Telegraph \| date = 10 January 2008 \| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080110/jsp/entertainment/story_8762188.jsp \| access-date = 15 August 2010 \| first1 = India \| last1 = Is \| archive-date = 25 October 2012 \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025132446/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080110/jsp/entertainment/story_8762188.jsp \| url-status = live }}</ref>		''[[Sonar Harin]]'' 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 Bandir Khela''.<ref name=telegraph12>{{Citation \| title = Live-in genes \| newspaper = The Telegraph \| date = 10 January 2008 \| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080110/jsp/entertainment/story_8762188.jsp \| access-date = 15 August 2010 \| first1 = India \| last1 = Is \| archive-date = 25 October 2012 \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025132446/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080110/jsp/entertainment/story_8762188.jsp \| url-status = live }}</ref>

imported>Billjones94 at 07:29, 29 August 2021

2021-08-29T07:29:34Z

New page

{{short description|Indian actor, director and producer}}
{{for|the Indian artist|Uttam Kumar (artist)}}
{{redirect|Mahanayak|the historical novel by Vishvas Patil|Mahanayak (novel)|the TV show|Mahanayak (TV series)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{essay|date=April 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2017}}}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Uttam Kumar
| image = Uttam Kumar Indrani (1958).png
| imagesize =
| caption = Kumar in ''[[Indrani (film)|Indrani]]'' (1958)
| native_name =
| birth_name = Arun Kumar Chatterjee
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1926|9|3|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[North Kolkata]], [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1980|7|24|1926|9|3|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Bhowanipur]], [[Calcutta]], [[West Bengal]], India
| occupation = {{wrap|Actor, producer, theatre director}}
| nationality = [[India|Indian]]
| years_active = 1948–1980
| alma_mater = [[University of Calcutta]]
| works = [[Uttam Kumar filmography|Filmography]]
| other_names = ''Mahanayak''
| spouse = {{marriage|Gauri Chatterjee|1941|1980}}
{{marriage|[[Supriya Devi]]|1963|1980}}
| children = 1
| relatives = {{plainlist|
* [[Tarun Kumar Chatterjee|Tarun Kumar]] (brother)
* [[Gourab Chatterjee]] (grandson)}}
| awards = [[#Accolades|Full list]]
| website =
}}
'''Uttam Kumar''' (born '''Arun Kumar Chatterjee'''; 3 September 1926 – 24 July 1980), popularly known as the '''Mahanayak''',<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pothukuchi |first1=Madhavi |title=Uttam Kumar — the 'mahanayak' who defined Bengali cinema for three decades |url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/uttam-kumar-the-mahanayak-who-defined-bengali-cinema-for-three-decades/266891/ |access-date=26 January 2021 |work=ThePrint |date=24 July 2019}}</ref> was an Indian film actor, director, producer, singer, composer and playback singer who predominantly worked in Indian Cinema. Through his career, he earned commercial as well as critical success, and he remains as an Indian cultural icon.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bollywoodirect|date=2018-09-03|title=Remembering Uttam Kumar, the uncrowned king of Bengali cinema and one of India’s most versatile…|url=https://bollywoodirect.medium.com/remembering-uttam-kumar-the-uncrowned-king-of-bengali-cinema-and-one-of-indias-most-versatile-14cbd1cef370|access-date=2021-07-13|website=Medium|language=en}}</ref>

==Career==
Kumar's career started with the 1948 film ''[[Drishtidan]]''. He appeared in over 200 films in his career. One of his lauded appearance was in [[Satyajit Ray]]'s ''[[Nayak (1966 film)|Nayak]]'' (1966). It was widely accepted that Satyajit 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).<ref name=telegraph5>{{Cite news| title = Byomkesh Bakshi| newspaper = The Telegraph| date = 7 August 2010| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100807/jsp/entertainment/story_12780913.jsp| access-date = 15 August 2010| archive-date = 23 August 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100823061134/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100807/jsp/entertainment/story_12780913.jsp| url-status = live }}</ref>
[[File:Mahanayak Uttam-kumar.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Uttam Kumar was the first-ever recipient of the National Film Award for Best Actor 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 (1961 film)|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 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.<ref name=gomolo1>{{Cite web|title = Uttam Kumar: As a Producer|work = gomolo|date = 13 June 2008| url = http://www.gomolo.in/features/article.aspx?ArticleID=22| access-date = 4 September 2011| archive-date = 23 September 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110923105319/http://www.gomolo.in/features/Article.aspx?ArticleID=22| url-status = live}}</ref> 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 authorised 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.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Living with Uttam Kumar| date = 20 July 2008| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080720/jsp/calcutta/story_9567833.jsp| access-date = 15 August 2010|work = The Telegraph| first = Kushali|last = Nag| archive-date = 1 August 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080801183522/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080720/jsp/calcutta/story_9567833.jsp| url-status = live}}</ref>

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 apologised and from the next year Mahalaya on AIR was again done by Bhadra.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.learningandcreativity.com/uttam-kumar-suchitra-sen-bengali-cinemas-first-couple/|title=Reference: Two Legends and Their Lives: Uttam Kumar Suchitra Sen|publisher=Learning and Creativity|date=13 September 2012|access-date=27 January 2014|archive-date=27 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127200924/http://www.learningandcreativity.com/uttam-kumar-suchitra-sen-bengali-cinemas-first-couple/|url-status=live}}</ref>

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|Bengali cinema]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Beyond the Enigma: Uttam Kumar, the Man and the Mahanayak|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/celebrities/beyond-the-enigma-uttam-kumar-the-man-and-the-mahanayak|work=The Quint|date=3 September 2017|access-date=29 March 2018|archive-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330012531/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/celebrities/beyond-the-enigma-uttam-kumar-the-man-and-the-mahanayak|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Uttam-Suchitra combination===
[[File:Uttam-Kumar-and-Suchitra-Sen-in-Bangla-Movie-Harano-Sur---1957.jpg|thumb|Kumar and Suchitra Sen in ''[[Harano Sur]]'']]

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 (1954 film)|Agni Pariksha]]'', ''Shilpi'', ''[[Saptapadi (1961 film)|Saptapadi]]'',<ref name=telegraph11>{{Cite news|title=how Saptapadi shattered stereotypes|newspaper=The Telegraph|date = 9 December 2009|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091209/jsp/calcutta/story_11837493.jsp|access-date=15 August 2010|first=Mohua|last=Das|archive-date=13 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213192843/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091209/jsp/calcutta/story_11837493.jsp| url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=telegraph10>{{Cite news|title = Saptapadi bike still road-worthy| newspaper = The Telegraph| date = 16 December 2008| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081216/jsp/calcutta/story_10256590.jsp?headline=&URL=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081216/jsp/calcutta/story_10256590.jsp&issuedate=Tuesday+,+December+16+,+2008 | access-date = 15 August 2010| first1 = Kushali| last1 = Nag| first2 = Sanjoy| last2 = Chattopadhyaya|archive-date = 25 October 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025132346/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081216/jsp/calcutta/story_10256590.jsp?headline=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraphindia.com%2F1081216%2Fjsp%2Fcalcutta%2Fstory_10256590.jsp&issuedate=Tuesday+%2C+December+16+%2C+2008| url-status = live}}</ref> ''Pathe Holo Deri'', ''[[Harano Sur]]'', ''[[Chaowa Pawa (1959 film)|Chaowa Paowa]]'', ''[[Bipasha (1962 film)|Bipasha]]'', ''Jiban Trishna'', ''Sagarika'', ''Trijama'', ''Indrani'', ''Sabar Upare'', ''Surjyo Toron'', ''Rajlakshmi O Sreekanto'', "Ekti Raat", "Grihadaha", ''Kamallata'', ''Har Mana Har'', ''Alo Amar Alo''.<ref name=telegraph8>{{Cite news|title = When the Bhadralok opens his doors to the others| newspaper = The Telegraph|date = 27 August 2009|url= http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090827/jsp/opinion/story_11410877.jsp |access-date = 15 August 2010|archive-date = 25 October 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025132403/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090827/jsp/opinion/story_11410877.jsp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=telegraph9>{{Cite news|title=Forever Suchitra|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=21 March 2010|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100321/jsp/7days/story_12242954.jsp|access-date=15 August 2010|archive-date=25 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525125322/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100321/jsp/7days/story_12242954.jsp|url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[Sonar Harin]]'' 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 Bandir Khela''.<ref name=telegraph12>{{Citation | title = Live-in genes | newspaper = The Telegraph | date = 10 January 2008 | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080110/jsp/entertainment/story_8762188.jsp | access-date = 15 August 2010 | first1 = India | last1 = Is | archive-date = 25 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025132446/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080110/jsp/entertainment/story_8762188.jsp | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Morgan House Kalimpong Testimonial of Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Supriya.jpg|thumb|Morgan House Kalimpong Testimonial of Uttam Kumar and [[Supriya Devi]].]]
Uttam Kumar married Gauri Chatterjee (1929–1981) in 1941. Later, he lived with actress [[Supriya Devi]] when he left his home at Girish Mukherjee road in 1963 till his death.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyo.in/arts/supriya-devi-death-uttam-kumar-bengali-film-industry-tollywood-meghe-dhaka-tara-ritwik-ghatak/story/1/22008.html|title=Actor Supriya Devi's legacy was more than just being Uttam Kumar's heroine|website=dailyo.in|date=26 January 2018|access-date=29 March 2018|archive-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330012639/https://www.dailyo.in/arts/supriya-devi-death-uttam-kumar-bengali-film-industry-tollywood-meghe-dhaka-tara-ritwik-ghatak/story/1/22008.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Death==
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.<ref name=telegraph4>{{Cite news|title = Maharaja ''tomare selam'', was the cry|work=The Telegraph|date=20 July 2010|url =http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100120/jsp/calcutta/story_12004236.jsp|access-date=15 August 2010|archive-date=28 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328153735/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100120/jsp/calcutta/story_12004236.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=telegraph7>{{Cite news|title=Fadeout of Uttam films|work=The Telegraph|date=24 July 2005
|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050724/asp/calcutta/story_5028722.asp |access-date=15 August 2010 |archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304225242/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050724/asp/calcutta/story_5028722.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{Main|Uttam Kumar filmography}}

==Accolades==
;[[National Film Awards]]
*1955: Recognition from the [[Government of India]] for ''[[Harano Sur]]''.
*1961: [[9th National Film Awards]] – [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali|Certificate of Merit for Second Best Feature Film in Bengali]] – ''[[Saptapadi (1961 film)|Saptapadi]]''<ref name="9thaward">{{cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm9thNFAAward.aspx|title=9th National Film Awards|publisher=[[International Film Festival of India]]|access-date=8 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202115652/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm9thNFAAward.aspx|archive-date=2 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*1963: [[11th National Film Awards]] – [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali]]:''[[Uttar Falguni]]'' (as producer)<ref name="11thaward">{{cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm11thNFAAward.aspx|title=11th National Film Awards|publisher=[[International Film Festival of India]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170502124428/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm11thNFAAward.aspx|archive-date=2 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*1968: [[National Film Award for Best Actor]] for ''[[Chiriyakhana]]'' and ''[[Antony Firingee (film)|Antony Firingee]]'' 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'')<ref name="National Awards Winners 1967: Complete list of winners of National Awards 1967">{{cite news|last1=The Times of India|first1=Entertainment|title=National Awards Winners 1967: Complete list of winners of National Awards 1967|work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/national-awards-winners/1967/108|accessdate=11 August 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324034914/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/national-awards-winners/1967/108|archivedate=24 March 2020}}</ref>
;[[Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards]].

*1962: B.F.J.A Best Actor award for ''[[Saptapadi (1961 film)|Saptapadi]]''. Uttam Kumar received the award from the legendary film-maker [[Debaki Bose]].
*1967: B.F.J.A Best Actor award for ''[[Nayak (1966 film)|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 (1972 film)|Stree]]''.
*1975: B.F.J.A Best Actor award for ''[[Amanush]]''.

==Legacy==
[[File:Uttam Kumar 2009 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|175px|Uttam Kumar in 2009 stamp of [[India]].]]
Tollygunge Metro station in [[Kolkata]] was renamed as [[Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Metro Station]] in his honour.
There is a theatre (Uttam Mancha) named after him in Kolkata. A life-size statue has been erected near Tollygunge metro station which has recently been renamed after the iconic actor by the Central Railway Ministry.<ref name=telegraph6>{{Citation
| title = Mamata's day out
| newspaper = The Telegraph
| date = 25 July 2010
| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100725/jsp/bengal/story_12723776.jsp
| access-date = 15 August 2010
| first = Sudeshna
| last = Banerjee
| archive-date = 28 July 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100728092519/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100725/jsp/bengal/story_12723776.jsp
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Besides, Shilpi Sansad, the actor's pet project of safegurading the artists especially the poor and the old, is active still. Celebrating the 89th 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 on 19 June 2015, released the "UTTAM" Award for Best acting. In the year of 2016, a television series called "Mahanayak" was telecast. It was based on his life.<ref name=indiapost6>{{Citation
| title = stamps 2009
| work = India Post
| url = http://postagestamps.gov.in/Stamps2009.aspx
| access-date = 15 August 2010
| archive-date = 28 September 2014
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140928032722/http://postagestamps.gov.in/Stamps2009.aspx
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

* [[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."<ref name="Uttam Kumar(3 September 1926 ) was a legendary Bengali actor">{{cite web|title=Uttam Kumar(3 September 1926 ) was a legendary Bengali actor|url=http://www.mahanayak.com/downs/bio.pdf|publisher=mahanayak.com|access-date=18 November 2012|archive-date=26 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126050954/http://www.mahanayak.com/downs/bio.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[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 [[Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay|Hemant Kumar]], [[Manna Dey]] and [[Mohammed Rafi]] as if he was singing them. I was criticised for ''Chhoti Si Mulaqat'' but Uttam Kumar never criticised me"<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=335641&catid=47 |title=Remembering the matinee monarch |newspaper=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]] |date=23 July 2010 |author=Ranjan Das Gupta |access-date=4 January 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914120630/http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=335641&catid=47 |archive-date=14 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Soumitra Chatterjee]]
: "If Uttam Kumar committed a crime and then he gave that smile, I was ready to believe he was innocent."
:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/interview/soumitra-chatterjee-is-bigger-than-a-ray-actor/20160127.htm|title=Soumitra Chatterjee is bigger than a Ray actor|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630161814/http://www.rediff.com/movies/interview/soumitra-chatterjee-is-bigger-than-a-ray-actor/20160127.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

*[[Rajesh Khanna]] said:

{{quote|I will be really ungrateful if I do not make a special mention of late Uttam Kumar, the greatest living actor of my times. He had a divine screen presence with a God gifted smile and dialogue delivery. While shooting for ''Amar Prem'' the Hindi Version of Uttam Kumar's ''Nishipadma'', I confessed to director Shakti Samanta, I will consider myself really lucky if I can perform even 50 per cent of what Uttam Kumar did.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gupta|first=As Told to Ranjan Das|date=2011-05-19|title=My First Break - Rajesh Khanna|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/my-first-break-rajesh-khanna/article2032058.ece|access-date=2021-07-13|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
*[[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.”<ref>{{Cite web|title=Suchitra Sen - Remembering Uttam Kumar: 10 memorable quotes about the ‘Mahanayak’ of Bengali cinema|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/photo-features/remembering-uttam-kumar-10-memorable-quotes-about-the-mahanayak-of-bengali-cinema/suchitra-sen/photostory/65116652.cms|access-date=2021-07-13|website=The Times of India}}</ref>}}
*[[Raj Kapoor]]

“The smart, modern hero of India.”<ref>{{Cite web|title=Raj Kapoor - Remembering Uttam Kumar: 10 memorable quotes about the ‘Mahanayak’ of Bengali cinema|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/photo-features/remembering-uttam-kumar-10-memorable-quotes-about-the-mahanayak-of-bengali-cinema/raj-kapoor/photostory/65116621.cms|access-date=2021-07-13|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

*[[Dilip Kumar]]

“Uttam was the best of our entire lot. A truly clean person.”<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dilip Kumar - Remembering Uttam Kumar: 10 memorable quotes about the ‘Mahanayak’ of Bengali cinema|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/photo-features/remembering-uttam-kumar-10-memorable-quotes-about-the-mahanayak-of-bengali-cinema/dilip-kumar/photostory/65116616.cms|access-date=2021-07-13|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

*[[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’s the reason why he still sparkles.”<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tapan Sinha - Remembering Uttam Kumar: 10 memorable quotes about the ‘Mahanayak’ of Bengali cinema|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/photo-features/remembering-uttam-kumar-10-memorable-quotes-about-the-mahanayak-of-bengali-cinema/tapan-sinha/photostory/65116571.cms|access-date=2021-07-13|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

*[[Bimal Mitra]]

“Sri Uttam Kumar not merely the actor, I regard him as the creator of the character. Maybe as the creator of the character, he has achieved such stupendous popularity.”<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bimal Mitra - Remembering Uttam Kumar: 10 memorable quotes about the ‘Mahanayak’ of Bengali cinema|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/photo-features/remembering-uttam-kumar-10-memorable-quotes-about-the-mahanayak-of-bengali-cinema/bimal-mitra/photostory/65116534.cms|access-date=2021-07-13|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Uttam Kumar}}
*{{IMDb name|id=0474907}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes person|Uttam_Kumar|Uttam Kumar}}

{{Byomkesh Bakshi}}
{{NationalFilmAwardBestActor}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Uttam}}
[[Category:Bengali male actors]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Male actors in Bengali cinema]]
[[Category:Goenka College of Commerce and Business Administration alumni]]
[[Category:University of Calcutta alumni]]
[[Category:Best Actor National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:1980 deaths]]
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]