Legendary Bengali actor Uttam Kumar’s 99th birth anniversary happens to be today. Prosenjit Chatterjee, the star Bengali actor, remembered him on the big day in an interview with us.
Prosenjit Chatterjee on his idol Uttam Kumar on his 99th birth anniversary, “Even after 100 years, he is going to be Mohanayak for us”
How much does Uttam Kumar mean to you?
Uttam Kumar is very close to my heart, to be very honest. I have grown up watching his films. Not only watching his film, he is my idol and I used to always tell him Uttam Jethu (uncle)… Uttam Jethu and he was my guiding light.
I was blessed that I could do a character which was like a younger version of Uttam Kumar in the television series Mahanayak. He was like my mentor. It was a big loss when he suddenly passed away.
Which of his films are your favourites?
Oh, I think I have been watching 80% of his films over and over again. For me, he is an institution, an inspiration and I think after even so many years and I am very close to his family also.
Where would you place Uttam Kumar in Bengali cinema?
Till today, after so many years, this man is celebrated as a legend. His birthday, his death anniversary, anybody in the world, the Bengalis, they celebrate and they remember him. I think, that’ a very big thing. I mean it really doesn’t happen to too many of us, it happens to very few actors. I think he passed away around 45 years back, but his aura is all around us.
I believe you were once going to do a film with Uttam Kumar
Like I said, for me he was like family. I was blessed that I had seen him very closely and there was a time when he was trying to direct a film with me when I was a teenager. But unfortunately he left us.
You have paid him very rich tributes
I did basically an event, live event. (It) was Mohanayak Ke Shraddhanjali. Of course, he has always been a Mohanayak and I was so happy to get all his heroines on stage from Mala Sinha aunty to Savitri Chatterjee to Supriya Devi who was alive that time, she was there. Madhabi Mukherjee aunty was there, so and I dedicated the entire event to him.
So this is a very special day for you
Yes, 3rd September everybody celebrates. We all remember his birthday and he is going to be Mohanayak even I think after 50 years, even after 100 years. Uttam Kumar is going to be the Mohanayak for us.
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