Uttam Kumar (Bengali: উওম কুমার; 3 September 1926 – 24 July 1980)

Uttam Kumar

Uttam Kumar was an eminent Bengali actor and known as the Mahanayak/Great Hero of the Bengali cinema. He was also known as PERSONAL LIFE The actor, who was also known as Arun Kumar Chatterjee, was born in Ahiritola, North Kolkata on 3rd September 1926. Barun Kumar Chatterjee and Tarun Kumar Chatterjee are his brothers. Uttam did his schooling from South Suburban School (Main) and graduated from Goenka College of Commerce and Business Administration. His family's financial condition was weak so he left his studies and started working as a clerk in Kolkata Port and also tutored students at a music school to earn more. Uttam had a son Gautam, who died of cancer and his grandson Gaurav is an Bengali actor. He was involved with Supriya Debi who was one of his co stars. He was also close to Sabitri Chatterjee though they were not romantically involved. He was the swimming champion at Bhowanipur and loved tennis, wrestling, lathi-khela since childhood. Uttam Kumar also acted for amateur theater groups during his early life. PROFESSIONAL LIFE Uttam Kumar made his debut film as an actor in Nitin Bose's Drishtidan. Bengali actress Suchitra Sen and Uttam created great onscreen chemistry in movies like Sagarika (1956), Jiban Trishna (1957), Pathe Holo Deri (1957), Harano Sur (1957), Chaoa Paoa (1959), Saptapadi (1961) and Bipasha (1962). In Chiriyakhana(1957) he played the famous Bengali detective Byomkesh Bakshi and he was also seen in Nayak (The Hero). Both these films were by the Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray. He has acted in a couple of Hindi movies opposite actresses Vyjayantimala Bali and Sharmila Tagore like Chhoti si Mulaqat, Ananda Ashram, Kittab, Dooriyan and Amanush. His film Nishi Padmo was copied by Bollywood as Amar Prem. This movie was a superhit starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore. Bon Palashir Padaboli, a Bengali movie was directed and produced by the actor. DEATH At the age of 54 Uttam Kumar died of heart attack while shooting for Ogo Bodhu Shundori in 1980. As he was a workholic it was assumed that he will die on the studio floor and that is what happened. Uttam Kumar's Movies as Actor Mera Karam Mera Dharam (1987) - Deviprasad Desh Premee (1982) - Ghosh Babu Plot No. 5 (1981) Kalankini Kankabati (1981) Ogu Bodhu Sundari (1981) Surya Sakhi (1981) Debdas (1979) - Chunilal Dooriyaan (1979) Sreekanter Will (1979) - Srikanta Dui Purush (1978) - Nutubihari Anand Ashram (1977) - Dr. Deepak Kitaab (1977) Seyi Chokh (1976) Amanush (1975) - Madhusudhan Roy Sanyasi Raja (1975) Jadi Jantem (1974) - Mr.P.K.Basu,Bar at Law Jadu Bansha (1974) - Old Shopkeeper Bon Palashir Padabali (1973) - Udas Kaya Hiner Kahini (1973) Sonar Khancha (1973) Har Mana Har (1972) Stree (1972) - Madhab Datta Alo Amar Alo (1971) Chhadmabeshi (1971) - Abanish alias Gourhari Dhanyee Meye (1971) Kalankita Nayak (1970) Manjari Opera (1970) Nishipadma (1970) - Ananga Aparachita (1969) - Ranjan Chiradiner (1969) Kamallata (1969) - Srikanta Chowringhee (1968) - Mr.Sata Bose Kokhono Megh (1968) Teen Adhaya (1968) Antony Firingee (1967) - Antony Firingee Chhotisi Mulaqat (1967) - Ashok Chiriyakhana (1967) - Byomkesh Bakshi Grihadaha (1967) - Mahim Nayika Sangbad (1967) - Alok Kal Tumi Aleya (1966) - Dhirapada Chakraborty Nayak (1966) - Arindam Mukherjee Rajdrohi (1966) Shudhu Ekti Bachhar (1966) Surya Tapa (1965) Jotugriha (1964) - Satadal Momer Alo (1964) - Dr. Surajit Sen Shesh Anka (1963) - Sudhangshu Dutta Surya Sikha (1963) Uttarayan (1963) Kanna (1962) Dui Bhai (1961) Saptapadi (1961) - Krishnendu Haat Baraley Bandhu (1960) Kuhak (1960) - Sunando Choudhury Maya Mriga (1960) - Mahim Raja-Saja (1960) Suno Baranari (1960) Gali Theke Rajpath (1959) Khelaghar (1959) Marutirtha Hinglaj (1959) - Thirumal Daktar Babu (1958) Indrani (1958) Joutuk (1958) Manmoyee Girls' School (1958) - Manas Rajlakshmi O Srikanta (1958) - Srikanta Bardidi (1957) - Suren Chandranath (1957) - Chandranath Harano Sur (1957) - Alok Mukherjee Pathey Holo Deri (1957) - Jayanta Prithibi Amare Chaay (1957) Punar Milan (1957) Surer Parashey (1957) Chirakumar Sabha (1956) Ekti Raat (1956) - Sushobhan Laksha-Hira (1956) Nabajanma (1956) Putrabadhu (1956) Raat Bhore (1956) Sagarika (1956) - Arun Saheb Bibi Golam (1956) - Bhutnath Shankar Narayan Bank (1956) Shilpi (1956) Shyamali (1956) - Arup Trijama (1956) - Kushal Debatra (1955) Kankabatir Ghat (1955) - Prabir Raikamal (1955) Sabar Uparey (1955) Shap Mochan (1955) - Mahendra Upahar (1955) - Ashok Sarkar Agni Pariksha (1954) Annapurnar Mandir (1954) Anupama (1954) Bidhilipi (1954) Bokul (1954) Bratacharini (1954) Champadangar Bou (1954) - Mahatap Grihapravesh (1954) Kalyani (1954) Mantra Shakti (1954) Maraner Pare (1954) Moner Mayur (1954) Ora Thakey Odharey (1954) Sadanander Mela (1954) Bou Thakuranir Hath (1953) Lakh Taka (1953) Nabin Yatra (1953) Sharey Chuattar (1953) - Rampriti Basu Paribar (1952) - Sukhen Kar Papey (1952) - Shankar Sanjibani (1952) Nastaneer (1951) Ore Jatri (1951) Sahajatri (1951) Maryada (1950) Kamana (1949) Drishtidan (1948) Kalankini Kankabati (1981) - director Bon Palashir Padabali (1973) - director Chhotisi Mulaqat (1967) - producer Grihadaha (1967) - producer Kal Tumi Aleya (1966) - other crew Shudhu Ekti Bachhar (1966) - director Harano Sur (1957) - producer