Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Uttam Kumar’s Enduring Stardom Lives Through Personal Memories
Sandip Roy writes about why Uttam Kumar remains such a powerful star.
Roy says he was not Kumar’s biggest fan.
Still, Kumar appears in both books Roy has written.
In one novel, a woman leaves home to see a famous film star’s body.
That scene was inspired by Kumar’s death.
Roy’s parents also went to see Kumar’s funeral procession in South Kolkata.
Roy remembers that his mother kept a diary of every Kumar movie she watched.
The diary made her feel connected to the actor.
These memories show how deeply Kumar affected people.
Sandip Roy reflects on Uttam Kumar’s lasting impact and elusive stardom.
Roy’s parents went to Rashbehari crossing in South Kolkata to watch Kumar’s funeral cortege.
Although Roy was not Kumar’s biggest fan, the actor appears in both books Roy has written.
Roy’s novel Don’t Let Him Know includes a fictional film star’s death scene based on Kumar’s.
Roy’s mother kept a diary listing every Uttam Kumar film she had seen.
- Who
- Writer Sandip Roy, his parents, his mother, and Bengali film star Uttam Kumar.
- What
- Roy reflects on Uttam Kumar’s extraordinary stardom and continuing presence in personal memories and literature.
- When
- The reflection recalls the period of Uttam Kumar’s funeral and Roy’s mother’s years of watching his films; no specific date is given.
- Where
- Rashbehari crossing in South Kolkata, where Roy’s parents watched Kumar’s funeral cortege.
- Why
- Roy is illustrating how genuine stardom can be difficult to define but deeply felt by audiences.
- Central figure
- Uttam Kumar
- Writer
- Sandip Roy
- Funeral location
- Rashbehari crossing, South Kolkata
- Novel mentioned
- Don’t Let Him Know
- Fictional character
- Subir Kumar, a film star in Roy’s novel
- Personal keepsake
- Roy’s mother maintained a diary of Uttam Kumar films she had seen