Cinemaazi remembers Uttam Kumar on his death anniversary
24 Jul 1980
Born as Arun Kumar Chatterjee the ‘mahanayak’ Uttam Kumar dominated the Bengali film industry for three decades. He was known for his versatility and naturalistic acting, realistic performances, and charming demeanour. Cinemaazi remembers him on his 40th death anniversary.
His first release was Nitin Bose’s Drishtidaan (Bengali, 1948) as his debut film Mayador(Hindi, 1947) remained unreleased. Kamana (1949) was his first film in the lead role. None of these and his other films that followed till Basu Parivar(1952) made any impact. The comedy-drama Sharey Chuattar (1953) co-starring Suchitra Sen started a new chapter in the history of Bengali cinema. Not only was the film successful it also marked the introduction of the most celebrated on-screen couple in Bengali cinema. They went on to appear together in films like Agnipariksha (1954), Shap Mochan (1955), Sagarika (1956), Harano Sur (1957), Indrani (1958), Chaowa-Paowa (1959), Saptapadi(1961), Bipasha (1962) and Grihadaha (1967). His other popular films include Nayak (1966), Antony Firingee (1967), Chowringhee (1968), Chhadmabeshi(1971), Stree (1972), Sanyasi Raja (1975) and Agnishwar (1975). He produced many Bengali films. His first Hindi film as producer was Chhotisi Mulaqat (1967). The film proved to be a disaster at the box-office leaving him in debt.
In Hindi films, Uttam Kumar is remembered for his memorable performances in Amanush(1975), Anand Ashram(1977),Kitaab (1979) and Dooriyaan (1979). He did more than 15 Hindi films. When the Indian Government instituted the National Awards for Best Actor and Actress in 1967, Uttam Kumar was the first ever recipient of the Best Actor Award for his performances in Chidiakhana and Antony Firingee (1967), while Nargis won the Best Actress Award for Raat Aur Din(1967).
Few would know that he worked as a clerk at the Port Commissioner’s office in Calcutta before joining films.
Uttam Kumar appeared in over 217 films in his three-decade long career.
His first release was Nitin Bose’s Drishtidaan (Bengali, 1948) as his debut film Mayador(Hindi, 1947) remained unreleased. Kamana (1949) was his first film in the lead role. None of these and his other films that followed till Basu Parivar(1952) made any impact. The comedy-drama Sharey Chuattar (1953) co-starring Suchitra Sen started a new chapter in the history of Bengali cinema. Not only was the film successful it also marked the introduction of the most celebrated on-screen couple in Bengali cinema. They went on to appear together in films like Agnipariksha (1954), Shap Mochan (1955), Sagarika (1956), Harano Sur (1957), Indrani (1958), Chaowa-Paowa (1959), Saptapadi(1961), Bipasha (1962) and Grihadaha (1967). His other popular films include Nayak (1966), Antony Firingee (1967), Chowringhee (1968), Chhadmabeshi(1971), Stree (1972), Sanyasi Raja (1975) and Agnishwar (1975). He produced many Bengali films. His first Hindi film as producer was Chhotisi Mulaqat (1967). The film proved to be a disaster at the box-office leaving him in debt.
In Hindi films, Uttam Kumar is remembered for his memorable performances in Amanush(1975), Anand Ashram(1977),Kitaab (1979) and Dooriyaan (1979). He did more than 15 Hindi films. When the Indian Government instituted the National Awards for Best Actor and Actress in 1967, Uttam Kumar was the first ever recipient of the Best Actor Award for his performances in Chidiakhana and Antony Firingee (1967), while Nargis won the Best Actress Award for Raat Aur Din(1967).
Few would know that he worked as a clerk at the Port Commissioner’s office in Calcutta before joining films.
Uttam Kumar appeared in over 217 films in his three-decade long career.
