Boman Irani Remembers Uttam Kumar: ‘What a Face, What a Smile, What a Personality’
The actor says the legendary Bengali star continues to inspire generations of performers
Mumbai— Bollywood actor Boman Irani paid tribute to legendary Bengali actor Uttam Kumar on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of his birth, recalling the star’s extraordinary screen presence and urging younger generations of artists to continue celebrating his legacy.
Speaking exclusively to IANS, Irani said an artist of Uttam Kumar’s stature should be remembered and celebrated for generations so that his work can continue to inspire young actors.
“100 years, can you believe it? But in our minds as youngsters he will always be the beautiful Uttam Da,” Irani said.
Irani recalled being introduced to Uttam Kumar’s work as a youngster through ‘Amanush’, the 1975 Hindi-Bengali bilingual film directed by Shakti Samanta, in which Uttam Kumar starred opposite Sharmila Tagore.
“When we were young, I remember seeing his work with Sharmila ji. I cannot tell you: what a face, what a smile, what a personality, what a great artist,” Irani told IANS.
The actor said Uttam Kumar’s appeal went beyond his acting ability.
“One could fall in love with his smile and personality,” he said, reflecting on the enduring charisma of the Bengali icon.
Irani also emphasized the importance of preserving the legacy of artists such as Uttam Kumar for future generations.
“We should be celebrating him for years and years so that young artists can be inspired by an actor like Uttam Da,” he added.
Open to Bengali cinema
Irani, who recently appeared in ‘The Mehta Boys’, also expressed his willingness to work in a Bengali-language film if an opportunity came his way.
For the actor, language should not be a barrier in cinema.
He said he would be happy to take up a Bengali project, underscoring his belief that good storytelling and acting can transcend language.
Remembering the ‘Mahanayak’
Widely regarded as one of the most influential and successful actors in the history of Indian cinema, Uttam Kumar became the defining star of Bengali cinema from the 1950s through the 1970s.
His screen partnership with actresses including Suchitra Sen became legendary, while his work across Bengali and Hindi cinema established him as an actor with a reach far beyond his home industry.
He was popularly known as “Mahanayak”, or the “Great Hero,” a title that reflected his extraordinary popularity and stature in Bengali culture.
Uttam Kumar’s career was cut short in 1980. He fell ill on the set of the film ‘Ogo Bodhu Sundori’ and later suffered a serious medical episode while attending a friend’s party that evening. He was taken to a hospital but died on July 24, 1980, at the age of 53.
More than four decades after his death, Uttam Kumar remains a towering figure in Bengali cinema.
For Irani, the centenary is therefore not simply a look back at a legendary career but an opportunity to introduce a new generation to an artist whose face, smile, personality and performances continue to endure. (Source: IANS)
