Uttam Kumar

Uttam Kumar (born Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay; 3 September 1926 – 24 July 1980), widely known as the Mahanayak, was an Indian film actor, producer, director, screenwriter, composer, and playback singer who predominantly worked in Bengali cinema. His career spanned three decades, from the late 1940s until his death in 1980.
He appeared in over 200 films, including Agni Pariksha, Harano Sur, Bicharak, Saptapadi, Jhinder Bandi, Sesh Anka, Deya Neya, Lal Pathor, Jatugriha, Thana Theke Aschi, Chowringhee, Nayak, Amanush, Bagh Bondi Khela, Ogo Badhu Sundori He produced seven films, and he directed the films , Bon Palashir Padabali, and Kalankini Kankabati. He composed music for several of his films.
Kumar was one of the most successful and influential actor in Bengali cinema history. He was the first recipient of the National Film Award for Best Actor for his work in Antony Firingee (1967), and Chiriyakhana (1967). His other awards include the BFJA Best Actor Award and the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. He is the namesake of Mahanayak Uttam Kumar metro station in Tollygunge and the Mahanayak Samman Award given by the Government of West Bengal.
Early life
Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay was born on 3 September 1926 at a maternal home in Ahiritola in northern Calcutta. His father was Satkari Chattopadhyay and his mother was Chapla Devi. He was from a lower middle class family. His father was a film projectetor in Metro Cinema. He had two brothers, Barun Kumar and Tarun Kumar. His younger brother Tarun Kumar was also an actor. The nickname "Uttam" was given to him by his maternal grandmother.
Kumar was admitted to Chakraberia High School and later entered South Suburban School (Main) where he passed matriculation. While in school, he found a theatre group called "Lunar Club". Kumar's first role was in Rabindranath Tagore's Mukut at the age of five, he won a medal for his role in the play later he again won a medal for Gayasur play. He joined Goenka College of Commerce and Business Administration for his higher studies, but was unable to complete this education because of the financial difficulties his family was facing he left college when he was in his last year. Then he joined Kolkata Port Trust as a clerk, where he got paid 275 rupees per month.
He learned singing from Nidanbandhu Banerjee. He learned Lathi Khela martial art training yoga and practised wrestling, football, volleyball and cricket He became a champion in swimming at Bhawanipur Swimming Association three years in a row. His family owned an amateur theatre group called Suhrid Samaj.
Career
Early film career (1947 - 1951)
After few struggling Kumar entered the film industry in 1947, appearing as an extra in the Hindi film Mayadore, which was never released. His first released film in 1948 as his birth name Arun Kumar Chatterjee in Drishtidan, directed by Nitin Bose where Asit Baran playing lead role, here he played a role of child artist of hero. The next year in 1949, he appeared first time as the hero in the film Kamona, changing his name again to Uttam Chatterjee. Later he changed his name again to Arup Kumar. In 1950 film Maryada he first time leap sync on a song. The 1951 film Sahajatri was the first in which he used the name Uttam Kumar, at the advice of Pahari Sanyal. Here Hemanta Mukherjee first time sang on his leap. Many of Kumar's early films (almost 7 films) were flops, and he was nicknamed "Flop Master General". He was huge disappoint and decided to left the film industry. That time Kumar also worked in Port Trust simultaneously
Initial success and breakthrough (1952 - 1954)
In 1952, Kumar had cast in one of the lead role in M.P Production's banner Basu Poribar, directed by Nirmal Dey, which was his first film to get success and become superhit and receive praise. Then he resigned the Port Trust job and permanently joined in films. The following year, he worked with the same studio and director in the comedy film Sharey Chuattor, which was his first time paired with Suchitra Sen. The film become blockbuster hit. His first breakthrough role was in Agradoot's film Agnipariksha in 1954. That film create a milestone in Bengali Cinema and a trendsetter for bengal box office.
Become star and ruled (1955 - 1965)
In 1955 Kumar appeared in musical blockbuster film Shapmochon. That film gave him star status. Here his combination with Hemanta Mukherjee become iconic. Which later become most popular singer-actor duo. In the same year he worked in Sabar Uparey and a different genre film called Hrad, here he played a mental patient who loss his memory. For his outstanding performance in Hrad he got his first BFJA Best Actor Award. In 1956 he appeared films such as Shyamali, Saheb Bibi Golam which remake in hindi as Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, Shilpi, Sagarika and in Debaki Boss film Chira Kumar Sabha and Nabajanma. In 1957 he worked in Harano Sur which is first production and won National Award, Pothey Holo Deri which was the first color bengali film, and worked in Chandranath which was first Indian film release in Metro Cinema, Prithibi Amarey Chai and Jiban Trishna, and first time he appeared in double role in film called Tasher Ghar. In 1958 he worked Indrani, Surya Toron and Rajlaxmi O Srikanto. In 1959 he worked many iconic film like Bicharak, Abak Prithibi, Chawa Pawa, Marutirtha Hinglaj and Sonar Harin.
In 1960s Kumar become most successful star. 1960 he appeared Maya Mriga, Khokababur Pratyabortan here he played a loyal servant which is a character role thar film also a iconic film. He also appeared first time in negative role in Kuhuk. In 1961 he worked with Tapan Sinha's cult classic Jhinder Bandi in double role, and in Saptapadi which he produced. This film won National Award also Kumar won his second BFJA Best Actor award. In 1962 he appeared Bipasha and Shiulibari. In 1963 he worked musical Deya Neya. He worked in Uttarayan, Surya Sikha with Supriya Devi, he worked in a thriller film Sesh Anka where he played a role of a murderer, and produced Branti Bilash where he played again duel role and Uttar Falguni here he not acted. In 1964 he produced Jatugriha which won the National Award again and worked Lalpathore. In 1965 he worked in a iconic crime thriller Thana Theke Aschi where he played a role of Police Investigator and worked a hit film Surya Tapa.
Collaboration with Satyajit Ray
Satyajit Ray originally approached Kumar to appear in his film Ghare Baire, which he wrote in 1956. Ray approached Kumar to appear as the role of Sandip, but Kumar refused, believing the role would be better for an established actor. Ray completed the film in 1984, after Kumar's death, casting Soumitra Chatterjee for the role.
Kumar collaborated with Ray for the first time in 1966 on the film Nayak. Nayak premiered in Indira Cinema. Here a incident happened during premiere. Satyajit Ray invite Uttam Kumar at the premiere, when he arrived at theater the thousands of people gathered there. Kumar's shirts was snatched by the craze of public. For this film he won third time BFJA Award for Best Actor. Later he also attended in Berlin Film Festival. After seeing Kumar in Nayak, actress Elizabeth Taylor was impressed with his performance and wanted to work and meet with him.
In 1967, Kumar worked with Ray again in Chiriyakhana, in which he became the first actor to play the iconic Bengali detective Byomkesh Bakshi. When the Government of India instituted the National Film Award for Best Actor, Kumar was the first actor to be honoured at the 15th National Film Awards in 1968 for his performances in Chiriyakhana and Anthony Firingee.
National Award and different works (1966 - 1975)
In 1966 he appeared as composer in Kal Tumi Aleya where Hemanta Kumar and Asha Bhosle sang on his tune. He directed first time in Sudhu Ekti Bochor. He appeared also in films Rajdrohi and in romantic Shankhyabela. In 1967 he worked in iconic biographical film Anthony Firingee based on a Portuguese Folk Poet Hensman Anthony's life, where Kumar won National Award for Best Actor as first Indian actor. He worked in Jiban Mrityu, Nayika Sangbad, Grihadaha here he won his fourth time BFJA Best Actor Award, and in Chiriyakhana. At this time Kumar focused on character acting. In 1968 he appeared in cult classic film Chowrangee, Kokhono Megh and Tin Adhyay. In 1969, Mon Niye, Kamallata, Aparichito, Sabarmati. In 1970 he worked Nishi Padma, Kalankita Nayak. In 1971 he worked in iconic comedy Dhanni Meye and Chhadmabeshi, Jiban Jiggasa and Ekhane Pinhar for this film he won fifth BFJA Best Actor Award. In 1972 he worked in two films Stree and Memsaheb and won sixth BFJA Best Actor Award for Stree. In 1973 he worked hit Roudra Chaya, and his own direction Bon Palashir Padaboli. In 1974 he worked In a double version (bengali, hindi) color film Amanush directed by Shakti Samanta. For this film he won seventh time BFJA Best Actor Award and first time Filmfare Award. This film create a record at the box office and become golden jubilee hit. It's become most successful film of Kumar's entire career. In 1975 he appeared big hit films such as Sanyashi Raja, Mouchak, Agnishwar, Ami Se O Sakha and worked with Suchitra Sen for the last time in Priyo Bandhobi. In that same year he appeared Bagh Bondi Khela as villain.
Last years 1976 - 1980s
From 1976 Kumar career slumped, despite some hit films like Banhisikha 1976 where he won his eighth and last BFJA Best Actor Award this is a record win at that time. In 1977 he worked another double version Ananda Ashram by Shakti Samanta. In 1978 he worked superhit Dhanraj Tamang and he won Best Actor Award in Filmfare Award East. In 1979 he worked Sunayani which was hit. But between these films many films flopped and were average. In 1980 June Dui Prithibi was release become successful after a long time and critically acclaimed also. This was the last film released during his lifetime.
After his death some films were released; one of them Ogo Badhu Sundori 1981, become a huge success at the box office and ran for 26 weeks. Later release Kalankini Kankabati which he direct also and Protisodh these film also successful. In 1982 a Hindi film, Desh Premee, was released in which Uttam Kumar worked in an important role. That film also become successful. His last released film in 1987, was a Hindi film called Mere Karam Mere Dharam where he appeared in a small role.
Producing and directing
Kumar produced six Bengali films and one Hindi film. All of his bengali film become successful. The first films he produced, Harano Sur (1957) and then Saptapadi, were under the banner of Alochayas Production. Both films were directed by Ajoy Kar and received the National Film Award. In 1963, he changed the name of his production house to Uttam Kumar Films Private L.T.D. The first film produced under this banner was produced Bhranti Bilash, which was followed by Uttar Falguni, Jatugriha both won National Award again, and . The only Hindi film as well as his last produced film was Chhoti Si Mulaqat, which was unsuccessful.
Later, Kumar directed three hit films like ran for 84 days in theater, Bon Palashir Padabali ran for 120 days in theater and Kalankini Kankabati (released after his death).
Music
He composed music for the film , in which Hemanta Mukherjee and Asha Bhosle sang. and also composed Sabyasachi (1977). He was also a playback singer in his own film (1956). Later, he made a recording singing Rabindra Sangeet. He first sang in the 1950 film Maryada. He collaborated with Shyamal Mitra on the background score for Bon Palashir Padabali.
Theatre
Kumar acted in theatre before debuting in the film industry. In 1953, he returned to theatre, acting in a play called Shyamali under the Star Theater banner. Shyamali create a recorded to ran for over 486 nights. The director Ajoy Kar made a film based on the play with the same title, Shyamali. In the 1970s, Kumar directed plays under the organisation, Shilpi Sangshad. He directed three plays, Charankabi Mukunda Das, Sajahan and Charitraheen, but he did not act in these. Later, he acted in Alibaba.
Hindi cinema
In 1956 Raj Kapoor wanted to cast Kumar in the Bengali version of Jagte Raho, but Kumar declined. In 1962, his friend, composer Hemant Kumar, offered him the lead role in a Hindi film titled Sharmili, directed by Biren Nag. Uttam Kumar was included in promotions for the film, but later cancelled for unknown reasons. Their relationship hit a low point after he rejected it. In 1964, Raj Kapoor approached him to appear in a film under his R.K Films banner, called Sangam, but Kumar rejected it, and the role went to Rajendra Kumar.
Kumar's first Hindi film role was in Chhoti Si Mulaqat in 1967, directed by Alo Sarkar and produced by Kumar. The film was adapted from Kumar's earlier Bengali film, Agni Pariksha. Chhoti Si Mulaqat was a failure as the material was considered outdated and lost much of the original film's subtlety. Sarkar's second film starring Kumar, Bandi (1978), was also a failure.
Kumar's only success in Hindi was Amanush. The film, directed by Shakti Samanta, was bilingual in both Bengali and Hindi. Kumar's appeared in another bilingual film directed by Samanta, Anand Ashram, a remake of the 1941 film Daktar, which starred Pankaj Mullick and Ahindra Choudhury.
Kumar's later Hindi films, Kitaab and Dooriyaan, were box-office failures.
Stardom
Although known as a romantic lead, Kumar had an eclectic range of performances. Satyajit Ray stated him as real star. There was no other actor at his time to match his popularity. At his time every film become successful. All the producer want him to cast to make profit. He was paid ₹2.5 lakhs to ₹3 lakhs (equivalent to ₹95 lakhs to ₹1 crore present) per film.
For the popularity and quality of his films, he was influence to remake his film many times in hindi and South Indian language. In 1952 his first hit film Basu Paribar remade in hindi as Hum Hindustani 1960. Agni Pariksha remake in tamil Telugu simultaneously as Mangalya Balam. That film won National Award also. Later Kumar remake himself as Chhoti Si Mulaqat his production in 1967. Sabar Uparey remade in hindi as Kala Pani 1958. Shyamali remake in Tamil as Kodimalar, Saheb Bibi Golam remake in hindi as Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam 1962, Harano Sur remake in hindi as Amar Deep 1958, Bhranti Bilash remake in hindi as Do Dooni Char 1968 later as Angoor 1982 and in recent time Cirkus 2022. Deya Neya remake as Anurodh 1977, Jiban Mrityu remake as Jeevan Mrityu 1970. Nishi Padma as Amar Prem 1972, Chhadabeshi as Chupke Chupke 1975, Stree remake as Ayaash 1982, Amanush remake multiple time in south india, at first in Telugu as Edureeta 1977, in Tamil as Thyagam 1978, in Malayalam as Ithaa Oru Manushyan 1978, Sanyashi Raja remake in Telugu as Raja Ramesh.
In the 1960s, a rivalry was started between Kumar and Soumitra Chatterjee. In a 2014 interview, Chatterjee said, "I knew Uttamda ever since he was a Kolkata Port Trust employee before becoming a star. We had met at the theatre beforehand. Any talk about our rivalry is baseless as few know how caring he was. He once dragged me jogging to stay and look fit and trim as a hero at the crack of dawn. I woke up in the dawn hearing commotion in the lane outside and then he called me aloud. Waving to the crowd around the Austin we both got inside and drove away - to the lake area."
On-screen partnerships
Kumar and Suchitra Sen appeared together in many films. They first appeared as co-stars in Share Chuattor. The film was successful, and was followed by 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, and Alo Amar Alo. They had worked together in 30 films, of which 29 were box-office successes. In an interview Uttam Kumar once said about his chemistry between Suchitra Sen, "Roma saved my career, before Sharey Chuattor every heroine was older than me the so chemistry did not work properly, hence many of my films did not work flopped, then Roma came and I felt I got my heroine. If Roma never came I never would've been the Uttam Kumar."
Sonar Harin saw Supriya Devi play the lead opposite 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 until 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.
Kumar worked in many films with the actress Sabitri Chatterjee. They first worked together in 1951 in the film Sahajatri. They worked in 39 films together which is highest that Uttam Kumar worked together, including Abak Prithibi, Bhranti Bilash Nishipadma, Mouchak, Dhanyee Meye and others.
Radio controversy
Kumar was selected in 1976 to recite the Chandi Path in the All India Radio (AIR) studios. He was criticised by audience members for replacing the role normally served Birendra Krishna Bhadra. Kumar apologised and Bhadra was reinstated.
Philanthropy and activism
Kumar was active in the Indian independence movement. In 1945, he helped Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National army relief fund, arranging a performance of the play Anandamath and giving the profit of 1700 rupees to Bose's elder brother Satish Chandra Bose. He also engaged in the Kolkata communal riots of 1946.
Uttam Kumar helped poor artists and technicians.
In 1968, he left Abhinetri Sangha and founded his own foundation, Shilpi Sangshad, to help poor artists and technicians. He was president of this organisation until his death. He worked in many films without any salary.
For the 1978 flood, he organised a charity cricket match between artists from the Bengali film industry and the Bombay film industry in 1979. He captained the Bengal team while Dilip Kumar captained the Bombay team.
Personal life
Kumar married Gauri Chatterjee (27 September 1929- 21 April 1981) in 1948. They had a son named Gautam Chatterjee (7 September 1950-2 May 2005). They had a troubled marriage.
Many fans were inquisitive about the relationship between Uttam and Suchitra and thought they were together. Rumours arose that they were the reason Kumar had a divorce; however, there is no truth in that, they were both married and had families, and were respectful of each other as colleagues.
His grandson Gourab Chatterjee and his brother's grandson Sourav Banerjee are both actors.
Kumar started his autobiography in 1960-61 as Harano Dinguli Mor that is incomplete later in 1979-80 he wrote again his autobiography as Aamar Ami. But that is incomplete also for his sudden death. Later Tarun Kumar finished this. But original manuscript was stolen at the day Uttam died. Later, a member of The Times Of India found that and published in Kolkata Book Fair 2010.
Illness and death
On 23 July 1980 he became ill on the sets of Ogo Badhu Sundori. Later that night, while attending his friend's party, he fell severely ill at around midnight. This time, suspecting an attack, he drove himself to Belle Vue Clinic, which was a five-minute drive from his Moira Street residence. At 3:00 am, he was admitted and attended by a medical board composed of eminent cardiologists. He died at 9:35 in the evening of Thursday, 24 July 1980 at the age of 53. His unexpected death was mourned by many people in Kolkata.
The next day, on 25th July, there were millions of people gathered on the streets for his last rites and entire forest become chopped down. Bengali daily newspaper Anandabazar Patrika carried two reports of Uttam's passing away. The headline of one was brief: Cholochitre Indrapatan, which translates to Cinema Loses Its Titan.
Filmography
Awards and recognition
National Film Award
1957: Certificate of Merit for Third Best Feature Film In Bengali - Harano Sur (As producer)
1961: Certificate of Merit for Second Best Feature Film in Bengali – Saptapadi (As producer)
1963: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali – Uttar Falguni (As producer)
1963: National Film Award Third Best Feature Film In Bengali - Jatugriha (As producer)
1967: National Award for Best Actor - Antony Firingee, Chiriyakhana
Bengal Film Journalists Association Award (BFJA)
1955: BFJA Award for Best Actor - Hrad
1962: BFJA Award for Best Actor - Saptapadi
1967: BFJA Award for Best Actor - Nayak
1968: BFJA Award for Best Actor -
1972: BFJA Award for Best Actor -
1973: BFJA Award for Best Actor - Stree
1975: BFJA Award for Best Actor - Amanush
1976: BFJA Award for Best Actor -
Filmfare Awards
1976: Filmfare Best Actor - Amanush (Nominated)
1976: Filmfare Special Award - Amanush
Filmfare Award East
1975: Best Actor Award - Amanush 1974
1978: Best Actor Award - Dhanraj Tamang 1978
Legacy
Actors who have expressed their admiration to Kumar include Elizabeth Taylor, Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala, Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Shammi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan.
In 2009, the Tollygunge Metro station in Kolkata was renamed as Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Metro Station in his honour. A life-size statue of Kumar has been erected near the station.
The Department of Post released a postage stamp featuring the actor on 3 September 2009, celebrating the 83rd anniversary of his birth.
In 2012, on his death anniversary, the Government of West Bengal created the Mahanayak Samman Award, named after Kumar, for lifetime achievement in films. This award was first distributed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This program is held on Uttam Mancha every year on his death anniversary.
In popular culture
In 2016, a television series based on Kumar's life, Mahanayak, was made, starring the Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee.
In 2022, a biopic of Kumar, Achena Uttam, starred the Bengali actor Saswata Chatterjee.
The 2022 film Oti Uttam, directed by Srijit Mukherjee, featured Kumar through VFX, using footage of 54 of his films.
References
External links
Bengali male actors
Indian male film actors
Male actors from Kolkata
Male actors in Bengali cinema
Goenka College of Commerce and Business Administration alumni
University of Calcutta alumni
Best Actor National Film Award winners
1980 deaths
1926 births
20th-century Indian male actors