Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Bengal Begins Uttam Kumar Centenary With Promise Of Politics-Free Cinema
West Bengal has started four days of events celebrating actor Uttam Kumar.
Uttam Kumar was a very famous Bengali film actor.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari placed flowers at his statue in Kolkata.
He said the government would not interfere in the film industry.
He also said Bengal should regain its leading place in Indian cinema.
More events will include a procession, an exhibition and a film festival.
A new Uttam Kumar Film Centre will also be planned in New Town.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Uttam Kumar as an actor admired by many generations.
West Bengal began a four-day celebration marking actor Uttam Kumar’s birth centenary.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari paid tribute at Uttam Kumar’s statue in Kolkata.
Adhikari promised transparency and said the state government would not interfere in the film industry.
The celebrations include a procession, exhibition, film centre foundation stone and festival screenings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bengali film personalities also paid tribute to Uttam Kumar.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, actor Uttam Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bengali film-industry personalities.
- What
- A four-day birth-centenary celebration for Uttam Kumar began, alongside pledges to keep Bengal’s film industry free from political interference.
- When
- The celebrations began with events described in the article as taking place on Thursday and Friday; the exact date is not specified.
- Where
- Kolkata, including Tollygunge Metro station, Nandan and Rabindra Sadan, with a film centre planned in New Town.
- Why
- To honour Uttam Kumar’s contribution to Indian cinema and support Bengal’s goal of regaining prominence in the film industry.
- Celebration
- Four-day programme marking Uttam Kumar’s birth centenary
- Main tribute venue
- Uttam Kumar’s statue at Tollygunge Metro station, also called Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Metro station
- Government pledge
- The state government will not interfere in the film industry, according to Suvendu Adhikari
- Film festival opening
- Satyajit Ray’s Nayak will open the Uttam Kumar Film Festival at Nandan-1
- Planned film centre
- The foundation stone for the Uttam Kumar Film Centre will be laid in New Town
- Postal tribute
- India Post will release a special cover and postage stamp commemorating Uttam Kumar