Embedded Files
UTTAM KUMAR PHOTO
Uttam Kumar (born Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay; 3 September 1926 – 24 July 1980), widely known as the Mahanayak (lit. 'Great actor'),[1] was an Indian film actor, producer, director, screenwriter, composer, and playback singer who predominantly worked in Bengali cinema.[2] His career spanned three decades, from the late 1940s until his death in 1980.[1] ( he was only 54 years old when he passed away)
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[3][1] He produced seven films, and he directed the films Sudhu Ekti Bochor [bn], 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.[4][5] He was the first recipient of the National Film Award for Best Actor for his work in Antony Firingee (1967), and Chiriyakhana (1967).[6][7] 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.[8] His father was Satkari Chattopadhyay and his mother was Chapla Devi.[9] He was from a lower middle class family.[10] His father was a film projectetor in Metro Cinema.[11] He had two brothers, Barun Kumar and Tarun Kumar. His younger brother Tarun Kumar was also an actor.[12] The nickname "Uttam" was given to him by his maternal grandmother.[13]
Kumar was admitted to Chakraberia High School and later entered South Suburban School (Main) where he passed matriculation.[14] While in school, he found a theatre group called "Lunar Club".[15] 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.[14] 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.[14] Then he joined Kolkata Port Trust as a clerk, where he got paid 275 rupees per month.[14]
He learned singing from Nidanbandhu Banerjee.[16] He learned Lathi Khela martial art training yoga and practised wrestling, football, volleyball and cricket[13] He became a champion in swimming at Bhawanipur Swimming Association three years in a row.[17] His family owned an amateur theatre group called Suhrid Samaj.[13]
After few struggling Kumar entered the film industry in 1947,age-26
appearing as an extra in the Hindi film Mayadore, which was never released.[18] 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.[citation needed] 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.[18] Here Hemanta Mukherjee first time sang on his leap.[19] 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[20]
In 1952,(age-26) 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.[18] 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.(she was 23 then)
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.[20]
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.[19] 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.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse