Kolkata, 24 July (H.S.) : West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday unveiled a statue of legendary Bengali actor Uttam Kumar at Keoratala Mahashmashan in south Kolkata on the occasion of the iconic actor’s 47th death anniversary. The Chief Minister also announced a series of initiatives to commemorate Uttam Kumar’s birth centenary.

Adhikari unveiled a commemorative plaque and paid floral tributes to the actor, who passed away in 1980 at the age of 54. Uttam Kumar’s last rites were performed at Keoratala Mahashmashan, where the newly installed statue now stands in his memory.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister announced that the state government would celebrate Uttam Kumar’s birth centenary with a four-day programme beginning on September 3, the actor’s birth anniversary. He said the celebrations would be finalised in consultation with Uttam Kumar’s family members and representatives of the Bengali film industry.

The Chief Minister also announced the renovation and modernisation of Uttam Mancha, the auditorium named after the legendary actor. In addition, a grand commemorative event will be organised at Nandan, the state-run film centre, or another suitable venue. The government also plans to establish a dedicated film centre in Uttam Kumar’s honour.

Adhikari said the decision to install the statue at Keoratala Mahashmashan was taken because it was the site of Uttam Kumar’s last rites, while his birth centenary would be celebrated across the state on a much larger scale.

During the programme, the Chief Minister met members of Uttam Kumar’s family and thanked them for attending the event. He later visited the actor’s ancestral home in Bhawanipur.

Widely regarded as the Mahanayak (Superstar) of Bengali cinema, Uttam Kumar dominated the Bengali film industry for more than two decades. His most celebrated films include Nayak, Chowringhee, Saptapadi and Antony Firingee. In 1967, he received the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performances in Satyajit Ray’s Chiriakhana and Antony Firingee. Besides acting in nearly 200 films, he also worked as a producer, director and music composer.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh