Kolkata/IBNS, Sept. 9 -- A rare archive of memorabilia documenting the life and career of legendary Bengali actor Uttam Kumar opened at Nandan in Kolkata on Thursday as part of the West Bengal government's 'Shatabarsha Mahanayak' celebrations marking his birth centenary.

The collection, being displayed in Kolkata for the first time, offers a glimpse into Uttam Kumar's career and the scale of his popularity. It had previously been exhibited only once, in Hyderabad, ahead of the actor's centenary year.

Uttam Kumar, who was born on September 3, 1926, acted in more than 200 films and remains one of the most influential figures in Bengali cinema. His celebrated pairing with Suchitra Sen produced several enduring films, while his performances...