Bengali movie lovers remember Uttam Kumar on birth anniversary

Nearly four decades later, Bengalis still fall back on him for the ultimate celluloid treat and romanticism.

While shooting for the film Ogo Bodhu Shundori (Hollywood's My Fair Lady inspired Bernand Shaw adaptiation) opposite actress Sumitra Mukherjee, Uttar Kumar suffered a stroke on the sets, ringing the curtains down on an illustrious silver screen life that fired the imagination of countless Bengalis sold on romanticism.

Some 39 years later, Uttam Kumar still rules the heart of Bengalis with the same amount of love and respect.

He is the eternal superstar, a lover like no other with an adorable pairing with the late screen goddess Suchitra Sen which churned out a repertoire of films that generations of Bengalis celebrated watching them countless times.

Born in north Kolkata, Uttam Kumar, who hailed from a Bengali middle-class family, quickly rose to fame in the regional film industry and over the years emerged as an evergreen icon of Bengali household.

The first breakthrough in his career came with Nitin Bose's Drishtidan in 1948.

Swiftly rising to fame, Kumar did films like Sharey Chuattor, Harano Sur, Indrani and Sabar Uparey.  With hugely commercial successes like Harano Sur, Saptapadi and Agni Pariksha he only scaled new heights of stardom.

After acting in several successful films, Kumar got an opportunity to work with legendary Indian director Satyajit Ray.

It was a juncture in his life when Kumar had to prove that he is a good actor too and not just a poster-boy, a perception which was prevalent among many.

In a blog, it has been illustrated that Ray,  was but fond of Kumar's acting flairs.

Describing a scene in Nayak, Kumar's first film with Ray, the director had reportedly termed the actor as "a star of the highest order".

Ray had reportedly described the first scene between Kumar and Sharmila Tagore in Nayak where a little snooty Tagore was supposed to ask for an autograph for her cousin. The pen used for the shot was almost dry and Kumar manipulated the shot by jerking the pen when it was not functioning.

The blog said: "Ray was about to say 'cut' when Uttam casually - and in mid-dialogue - shook the pen. When that did not work, he dipped the nib in the glass of water in front of him and signed with his customary flourish. All this, while carrying on with the dialogues!"

In an article, Ray had said that 'no amount of preparation can get an actor to pull this off. Only a star of the highest order is equipped to do something like this.'

Even after Nayak, the stardom of Kumar never tumbled, it rather established him as a critically acclaimed actor besides being a superstar.

In the course of his film career, Uttam Kumar's name became almost synonymous with legendary actress Suchitra Sen for their tremendous successful onscreen pairing. Rumours were even high about their possible relationship though it was not so.

Remembering Uttam Kumar, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Tribute to #Bangla matinee idol Mahanayak Uttam Kumar on his birth anniversary. In 2012, we instituted the Mahanayak Samman in his memory."

Senior Congress leader Somen Mitra also joined the Bengali people in wishing the actor on his birth anniversary and tweeted: "My humble tributes to Mahanayak Uttam Kumar on his birth anniversary. He is remembered as the Cultural Icon of the country & celebrated not only in the Bengali Film Industry but all over India for his remarkable contribution to the Indian Film Industry."

Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Minister-of-State, Department of Youth Services and Sports, Government of West Bengal, posted: "Remembering Mahanayak Uttam Kumar on his 93rd Birth Anniversary Sir, You are a legend of Film industry

.Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee also wished the actor on his birth anniversary.