2 September, Tuesday: Mahanayak Uttam Kumar is another name of emotions of Bengali. To celebrate the centenary of the Legend, Kolkata is gearing up with a comprehensive exhibition named 'Shudhui Uttam’. The show will be inaugurated by veteran actress Sabitri Chattopadhyay, co-actor and one of the closest friends of Uttam Kumar. She will be
joined by Lily Chakraborty, Chirajit Chakraborty, and several renowned artists who once worked with Uttam Kumar.
On the opening ceremony day Sabitri Chattopadhyay will share memories and anecdotes of her many on-screen collaborations with Uttam Kumar, followed by a special screening of Har Mana Har, one of their enduring films together.Sabitri Chatterjee has always maintained a strong friendship with her frequent co-star. Apart from Suchitra Sen, their on-screen chemistry was very popular and sparked real life romance rumors.
When and where to celebrate?
From September 3 to September 7, 2025, the exhibition will be on display at the Nehru
Children's Museum: timings are 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sabitri Chattopadhyay will open the exhibition, which will feature rare memorabilia such as costumes, scripts, and international coverage, providing a close-up look at the life and legacy of the Mahanayak.
The exhibition promises to show an intimate look at the actor's journey in cinema, featuring costumes, personal belongings, film scripts, handwritten notes, theatre playbills, and autographed photographs from family collections and private archives. Among the highlights are his first acting contract for Drishtidan (1948), his diaries, spectacles, and letters-objects rarely shown to the public.
The display will also feature the actor's presence at the Commonwealth Arts Festival in London in 1965, where he became the first Indian film star to represent the country. Souvenirs from the 1980 Senate House exhibition will also be revisited.
As per Times of India report, Chandranath Chattopadhyay of Kolkata Kathokatha said, "This exhibition will also showcase rare international coverage of Uttam Kumar, from his 1967 visit to Russia to his appearances in global publications. A particularly treasured item is a 1959 photograph from the Metro Cinema premiere of The Perfect Gentleman.”
The display will also recall the actor's presence at the Commonwealth Arts Festival in London in 1965, where he became the first Indian film star to represent the country on a global stage. Souvenirs from the 1980 Senate House exhibition in his memory will also be revisited. Posters, lobby cards, and stills from his most celebrated and iconic films-Saptapadi, Chowringhee, Anthony Firingee, Nayak, Chiriakhana, Amanush, Sanyasi Raja, and Indrani will be showcased. Other than that, candid photographs with Suchitra Sen, Supriya Devi, Sabitri Chattopadhyay, Anjana Bhowmick, and Aparna Sen will be displayed to tribute the golden era of Bengali cinema.
