New Delhi, 03 September (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tribute to legendary actor and filmmaker Uttam Kumar on the occasion of his birth centenary.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote, “Mahanayak Uttam Kumar was a legendary artist whose timeless performances continue to connect people across generations. Tributes to him on his birth centenary.”

The Prime Minister had also spoken about Uttam Kumar in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme last Sunday, describing him as a versatile actor who won a permanent place in the hearts of audiences through his performances. Film enthusiasts believe that legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray wrote the entire script of ‘Nayak – The Hero’ with Uttam Kumar specifically in mind.

Prime Minister Modi noted that Uttam Kumar worked extremely hard to bring his characters to life. The actor was known not only for his effortless acting style but also for his philanthropic activities. His life also offers an important lesson in perseverance and never giving up. His early films did not perform particularly well, but he remained focused on his work. His persistence eventually helped him achieve remarkable heights in his career.

It is noteworthy that Uttam Kumar faced the tag of ‘Flop Master General’ during the initial phase of his career. He later went on to carve out an unparalleled place for himself in Bengali cinema with his natural acting ability and charismatic screen presence.

Among his most acclaimed films are ‘Saptapadi’, ‘Agni Pariksha’, ‘Harano Sur’, and Satyajit Ray’s ‘Nayak’ and ‘Chiriakhana’. Uttam Kumar received his first National Film Award for Best Actor in 1968 for his performances in ‘Nayak’ and ‘Chiriakhana’.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar