2024-07-30 23:13:54
Mahanayak Uttamkumar died on July 24, 1980. More than four decades have passed since his death. He is still alive as a hero to Bengali cinema lovers. Biplab Chatterjee is another popular actor of Indian Bengali cinema. He acted with Uttamkumar. Biplab gave an interview to an Indian media a few days ago. In this conversation, this 77-year-old actor talked about various aspects of Uttam Kumar.
It was asked at the beginning of the conversation, why do you still think of Uttamkumar as Mahanayak? In response to this question, Biplab Chatterjee said, ‘Uttamkumar is not so-and-so great hero. Besides being a seasoned actor, one has to have a great generous mind, only then the artiste can sit in the seat of the hero. So was Uttamkumar. You know, Uttamada bought about 50 khata of land in Nepalganj and donated it for the poor technicians of Tolipara. About 50 small houses will be built, in the hope.’
Acted with Uttamkumar. Did you socialize with everyone on the shooting set? Biplab Chatterjee replied, ‘Yes, yes. Any technician could go to him and talk about his problem. Actors and actresses of today’s generation cannot even imagine the way he used to hang out with junior artists like us, talk to them and encourage them in their work.’
Do you remember any events? Reminiscing, Biplab Chatterjee said, ‘Many, many. I have many memories of Santu Mukherjee. Santu Mane Swastikar (Swastika Mukherjee) father less chat? He even drank with us. He drove and bought roti-kebab for us from a distance.’
Tolipara is now in turmoil due to the conflict between technicians and directors. What would happen if Uttamkumar were alive today? In response, Biplab Chatterjee said, ‘At the moment, all the big actors who are in Tolipara would run away!’