Kolkata, Aug. 30 -- Ahead of Bengali cinema icon Uttam Kumar's birth centenary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tribute to the legendary actor in his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', recalling a personal memory of passing by his Kolkata residence during a roadshow before the Assembly elections and receiving a photograph of him as a gift.
Speaking in the 137th episode, Modi said Uttam Kumar, Bengal's Mahanayak, had secured a permanent place in people's hearts through his acting, praising his ability to express emotions, natural screen presence, personality and versatility.
"Mahanayak Uttam Kumar chiradin manusher hridoye raj korben" (Uttam Kumar will rule people's hearts forever), Modi said in Bengali.
Uttam Kumar was born in Kolkata on September 3, 1926, and his birth centenary will be marked on September 3 this year.
Modi said Uttam Kumar's popularity as a romantic hero never confined him to one screen image. Referring to Satyajit Ray's Nayak, he said many cinema lovers believed Ray had written the screenplay with Uttam Kumar in mind.
The actor played Arindam Mukherjee, a hugely popular film star whose fears, doubts, memories and inner conflicts lay behind the glamour of fame.
Modi also recalled Uttam Kumar's early struggles. Several of his films failed to make an impact and he was once mockingly called the "Flop Master General". But he persevered, continued to hone his craft and eventually became one of Indian cinema's most celebrated stars.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari thanked Modi for the tribute, calling it a matter of "immense pride" for the state. In a post on X, Adhikari said Modi had highlighted Uttam Kumar's "unmatched cinematic genius, charisma and indelible artistic legacy".
He said Uttam Kumar's performances continued to define the cultural soul of Bengali cinema and inspire generations of storytellers and film lovers.
"On behalf of the people of West Bengal, I express our sincere gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for celebrating the immortal legacy of our beloved Mahanayak on the national platform," Adhikari said.
Uttam Kumar died more than four decades ago but remains an inseparable part of Bengal's cultural memory.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.