Uttam Kumar

Uttam Kumar (born Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay; 3 September 1926 – 24 July 1980), widely known as Mahanayak (lit. 'Great Hero'), 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. Kumar is regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema and also the most popular and successful film star in Bengal.
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, Nishi Padma, Chhadmabeshi, Dhanyee Meye, Amanush, Agnishwar, Bagh Bondi Khela, Sanyasi Raja, Ogo Bodhu Shundori. He produced seven films, and he directed the films Sudhu Ekti Bochor [bn], Bon Palashir Padabali, and Kalankini Kankabati. He also composed music for several of his films.
Kumar was one of the most successful and influential actors 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.
Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay was born on 3 September 1926 at a maternal home in Ahiritola in northern Calcutta. His father was Satkari Chattopadhyay from Hooghly district of West Bengal and his mother was Chapla Devi. He was from a lower-middle-class family. His father was a film projectionist in Metro Cinema. He had two brothers, Barun and Tarun. The latter 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, for which he won a medal. 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 and 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 was a champion in swimming at Bhawanipur Swimming Association three consecutive seasons. His family owned an amateur theatre group called Suhrid Samaj.
After few struggling years, Kumar entered the film industry in 1947, appearing as an extra in the Hindi film Mayadore, which was never released. His first released film appearance was in Drishtidan (1948), directed by Nitin Bose and with Asit Baran playing the lead role; this film was under his birth name Arun Kumar Chattophadyay. The next year in 1949, he appeared for the 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. His first time lipsyncing a song was in the 1950 film Maryada. The 1951 film Sahajatri was the first in which he used the name Uttam Kumar, at the advice of Pahari Sanyal. In this film, he met singer-songwriter Hemanta Mukherjee, over whose voice he lip-synced. Many of Kumar's early films (almost 7 films) were flops, and he was nicknamed "Flop Master General". He was hugely disappointed and decided to leave the film industry. During this time Kumar continued working at the Port Trust simultaneously
In 1952, Kumar was cast in one of the lead roles 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. With this success, he left the Port Trust and fully joined the film industry. 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. This film became blockbuster hit. His first breakthrough role was in Agradoot's film Agnipariksha in 1954. That film created a milestone in Bengali Cinema and was a trendsetter for the Bengal box office.
In 1955, Kumar appeared in musical blockbuster film Shapmochon, gave him star status. Here his combination with Hemanta Mukherjee became iconic, and they later became the most popular singer-actor duo. In the same year he worked in Sabar Uparey and a different genre film called Hrad, where he played a mental patient who lost his memory. For his outstanding performance in Hrad he got his first BFJA Best Actor Award. In 1956 he appeared in films such as Shyamali, Saheb Bibi Golam which was remade in Hindi as Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, and in the Debaki Boss film Chira Kumar Sabha and Nabajanma. In 1957 he worked in Harano Sur which was his first production and won a 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. For the first time he appeared in a double role in a film called Tasher Ghar. In 1958 he worked on Indrani, Surya Toron and Rajlaxmi O Srikanto. In 1959 he worked on many iconic films like Bicharak, Abak Prithibi, Chawa Pawa, Marutirtha Hinglaj and Sonar Harin.
In the 1960s, Kumar became a highly successful star. 1960 he appeared in Maya Mriga, as well as in the iconic Khokababur Pratyabortan. He also appeared in his first negative role in Kuhuk. In 1961 he worked with Tapan Sinha's cult classic Jhinder Bandi in a double role, and in Saptapadi which he produced. This film won a National Award and Kumar won his second BFJA Best Actor award. In 1962 he appeared in Bipasha and Shiulibari. In 1963 he worked on the musical Deya Neya. He also worked in Uttarayan, Surya Sikha with Supriya Devi, and thriller film Sesh Anka; and produced Branti Bilash where he played another dual role and Uttar Falguni. In 1964 he produced Jatugriha which won the National Award again and worked on Lalpathore. In 1965 he worked in an iconic crime thriller Thana Theke Aschi where he played a role of Police Investigator.
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, during which an incident involving frenzied fans occurred. Satyajit Ray invited Uttam Kumar to the premiere, and when he arrived at theatre there were 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 with and meet 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.
He directed his first film, Sudhu Ekti Bochor in 1966. In 1967, he worked on the 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 the film become all-time blockbuster also. He worked in Jiban Mrityu, Nayika Sangbad, Grihadaha where 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 1971 he worked in the iconic comedy Dhanni Meye and Chhadmabeshi, Jiban Jiggasa and Ekhane Pinhar for this film he won his fifth BFJA Best Actor Award. In 1972 he worked in two films, Stree and Memsaheb, and won his sixth BFJA Best Actor Award for Stree. In 1973 he worked on hit Roudra Chaya, and his own direction Bon Palashir Padaboli.
In 1974 he worked In a double version (Bengali and Hindi) color big film Amanush directed by Shakti Samanta. For this film he won for the seventh time the BFJA Best Actor Award and his first Filmfare Award. This film created a record at the box office and became a golden jubilee hit ran for 96 weeks in theaters. It's also become the most successful film of Kumar's entire career. In 1975 he appeared in big hit films such as Sanyashi Raja, Mouchak, and Agnishwar, and worked with Suchitra Sen for the last time in Priyo Bandhobi. In that same year he appeared in Bagh Bondi Khela as the villain.
From 1976, Kumar's career slumped, despite he give some hit films like Banhisikha (1976) where he won his eighth and last BFJA Best Actor Award which was a record win at that time and Sei Chokh. In 1977 he worked another double version Ananda Ashram by Shakti Samanta but only the Bengali version become all-time blockbuster and ran over 26 weeks. In 1978 he worked on superhit Dhanraj Tamang for which he won Best Actor Award in Filmfare Award East. In 1979 he worked on Sunayani which was a hit. But between these films, many films flopped and were average. In 1980 Dui Prithibi was release, and became successful and critically acclaimed after a long time. This was the last film released during his lifetime.
After his death some films were released; one of them Ogo Badhu Sundori (1981), became a huge success at the box office and ran for 26 weeks. Later releases Kalankini Kankabati which he directed, and Protisodh were 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.
Kumar produced six Bengali films and one Hindi film. All of his Bengali film became 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 Bhranti Bilash, which was followed by Uttar Falguni, and Jatugriha which both won National Award again, and Grihadaha [bn]. 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 Sudhu Ekti Bochor [bn] which ran for 84 days in theatre, Bon Palashir Padabali which ran for 120 days in theatre and Kalankini Kankabati (released after his death).
Kumar first sang in the 1950 film Maryada. He composed music for the film Kaal Tumi Aleya [bn], in which Hemanta Mukherjee and Asha Bhosle sang, and also composed Sabyasachi (1977). He was also a playback singer in his own film Nabajanma [bn] (1956). Later, he made a recording singing Rabindra Sangeet. He collaborated with Shyamal Mitra on the background score for Bon Palashir Padabali.
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 created a record by running 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.
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. His sole 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.
Although known as a romantic lead, Kumar had an eclectic range of performances. Satyajit Ray stated him as real star. There was no other actors at his time to match his popularity and most of his films became successful. There was high casting demand from producers because of the profit opportunities. 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 influenced to remake his films many times in Hindi and South Indian languages. In 1952 his first hit film Basu Paribar was remade in Hindi as Hum Hindustani 1960. Agni Pariksha was remade in Tamil and Telugu simultaneously as Mangalya Balam. and also won a National Award. Later Kumar remade his own production as Chhoti Si Mulaqat in 1967. Sabar Uparey was remade in Hindi as Kala Pani (1958). Other films remade include:
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."
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, so the 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, Uttarayan [bn], Nishipadma, Mouchak, Dhanyee Meye and others.
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 by Birendra Krishna Bhadra. Kumar apologised and Bhadra was reinstated.
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 Satish Chandra Bose [bn]. 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.
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.
He engaged in a relationship with the legendary actress Supriya Devi, and in 1963 they got married. He didn't give divorce to his wife, Gauri.
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, which is incomplete. Later in 1979–80 he again began his autobiography as Aamar Ami, but that was also incomplete due to his sudden death. Later Tarun Kumar finished it, but the original manuscript was stolen on the day Uttam died. Later, a member of The Times of India found it and published it in Kolkata Book Fair 2010.
On 23 July 1980, he fell ill on the set 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, aged 53. The next day, on 25 July, millions of people gathered on the streets for his last rites and an entire forest became 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.
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.
There is a statue of Uttam Kumar in Tollygunge established in 1993 by the Government of West Bengal. In 2019 at Ahiritola street the birthplace of Kumar another statue was established which inaugurated by the mayor of Kolkata Firhad Hakim. In 2020, on his 94th birth anniversary another statue was situated at Bardhaman town.
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 Kalighat of Kolkata there is an auditorium named on Uttam Kumar as Uttam Mancha.
Many times in Bengali cinema there give a tribute to Uttam Kumar. In 1973 in the iconic Bengali film Basanta Bilap actor Chinmoy Ray said a dialogue that Ekbar bolo Uttam Kumar mean Say one time I'm Uttam Kumar. In 2009 Chinmoy Ray directed a film called Ekbar Bolo Uttam Kumar to tribute him. In 2010 a filmed called Ogo Badhu Sundori (same name of 1981 film) made which directed by Sunanda Mitra also give tribute to Kumar. Same year the iconic Bengali film Autograph directed by Srijit Mukherjee there was a tribute to both Kumar and Satyajit Ray. Later in many film of Srijit, he give tribute to Kumar. In 2016, a television series based on Kumar's life, Mahanayak, was made, starring the Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee. In 2019 there was a filmed called Mahalaya where actor Jishu Sengupta played his character. The film based on his radio controversial Mahalaya incident which was better known as the Mahisasurmardini happened in 1976. In 2022, a biopic of Kumar made named as Achena Uttam, starred the Bengali actor Saswata Chatterjee. The 2024 film Oti Uttam, directed by Srijit Mukherjee, featured Kumar through VFX, using footage of 54 of his films and this should marked Uttam Kumar returns on silver screen afer 37 years. That film become hit at the box office.
In London, 25 November 2019, there was a cultural festival held on Uttam Kumar at London auditorium by the foreign Bengali's. This was the first time ever happened.