Mahanayak's death anniversary observed

Legendary actor of Bangla cinema Mahanayak Uttam Kumar's 37th death anniversary was observed yesterday in Kolkata and other locations in West Bengal, India. The state government and admirers placed wreaths at the statue of Mahanayak at Tollygunge, South Kolkata. Besides, a film screening of Uttam Kumar's "Nayak" was held yesterday at Nandan cinema hall. 

Kumar died on July 24, 1980 while shooting for a film. Born in Kolkata on September 3, 1926 Kumar was a workaholic. He was believed to have said that he would like to die on the studio floor, doing what he loved best-- acting. Indeed, that is exactly how he passed awary. While filming “Ogo Bodhu Shundori” in 1980, he died of a massive heart attack at the age of 54.

Uttam Kumar was born Arun Kumar Chatterjee. Apart from acting, he was a film director, producer, music director and singer. He bagged the best actor awards for the films “Anthony Firingee” and “Chiriakhana” in 1968 and for the film “Doshor” in 1961.

A weeklong Mahanayak Memorial programme started on July 23. Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee distributed awards to the best actors and the best films at Nazrul Mancha. “Belasheshe” and “Shankhachil” bagged the best film awards for this year. “Shankhachil” director Goutam Ghose was crowned with the best director award. Shivprasad Mukhopadhyay together with Nandita Roy and Mou Roy Chowdhury were recognised with the producer and director awards respectively for the film “Belasheshe”.       

Paran Bandopadhyay and Jisshu Sengupta received the best actor awards while Rituparna Sengupta and Sohini Sarkar shared the best actress award.