Uttam Kumar: The legend lives on

If Bengali cinema ever had a superstar, it was Uttam Kumar. With a smile that still makes the ladies swoon and with innumerable evergreen films to his credit, Uttam Kumar is the true Mahanayak. 3 September marks the birth anniversary of the legendary actor who continues to be a Bengali icon nearly three decades after his death.

On the occasion of his death anniversary, ilovekolkata ran a poll to find out which of his films rules the roost among ILK’s readers. And now, here’s a look at the top Uttam films that continue to tug at our heart strings.

Coming in at the top slot is the 1975 film Agniswar. Directed by Arabinda Mukhopadhyay, the film has Uttam playing the role of a doctor, Agniswar Mukhopadhyay, who has dedicated his life to serving a group of villagers. Also starring Madhabi Mukherjee, Agniswar sees Uttam Kumar in a role that is considerably different from the usual romantic roles that he essayed.

Nevertheless, people will always remember Uttam Kumar for his evergreen romantic image. And who can forget his unforgettable jaunt as Krishnendu in Saptapadi where he romances the beautiful Rina (Suchitra Sen). Set in pre-independence India, the film, which has since gained the status of a classic, looks at the rising nationalist sentiment in a world where Indians were trying to keep pace with the Brits. And it isn’t a bed of roses for Krishnendu and Rina’s romance as their differing religions keep them apart.

Third on the ILK list is Satyajit Ray’s Nayak. The film has Uttam Kumar, then the most successful star in Bengali cinema, in the role of an actor, Arindam, who could be en route to his first flop even as he travels by train to Delhi to collect a prestigious award. On the train ride, he gets into conversation with a serious journalist (Sharmila Tagore) who is hoping to use him as a saleable copy for the next issue of her magazine. The train journey involves much soul-searching on Arindam’s part as he traces his successes and failures.

The other Uttam Kumar films on the ILK poll included Chowrangee, Saare Chuattor and Agnipariksha. The curtains may have come down on this matinee idol, but his films live on, reminding us of the Bengali superstar decades after he passed away.


ilovekolkata