Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Uttam Kumar Film Centre Foundation Stone Laid During Centenary Celebrations
West Bengal started celebrations for the 100th birth anniversary of famous Bengali actor Uttam Kumar.
Suvendu Adhikari laid the foundation stone for a new film centre named after him.
The centre will be built in New Town, Kolkata.
The government has set aside ₹25 crore to begin the project.
It will have cinemas, a large auditorium and an outdoor theatre.
It will also provide spaces for making and finishing films, animation and visual effects.
Actors and filmmakers attended the ceremony and paid tribute to Uttam Kumar.
The celebrations also include exhibitions, film screenings and walks connected with his life.
Suvendu Adhikari laid the foundation stone for the Uttam Kumar Film Centre near Eco Park in New Town, Kolkata, on Friday.
The West Bengal government allocated an initial ₹25 crore for the centre, which will be built on two acres near Akankha crossing.
Plans include two 750-seat cinema halls, a preview theatre, a food court, parking, a 1,000-seat auditorium and an open-air theatre.
The centre will include animation, visual-effects, gaming, comics, extended-reality, post-production and studio facilities.
Uttam Kumar’s centenary programme includes screenings, exhibitions, heritage walks, tributes, a commemorative stamp and a special cover.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, actors, filmmakers, technicians and other people associated with Uttam Kumar.
- What
- The foundation stone was laid for the proposed Uttam Kumar Film Centre during celebrations marking the actor’s birth centenary.
- When
- The foundation-stone ceremony took place on Friday; related programmes began on Thursday and events are scheduled through September 6.
- Where
- The centre is planned near Eco Park and Akankha crossing in Action Area IIC, New Town, Kolkata; related events were held at Nandan, Rabindra Sadan and Gaganendra Shilpa Pradarshashala.
- Why
- The centre and celebrations are intended to honour Uttam Kumar and strengthen West Bengal’s film and theatre industries.
Government and Industry Support
Industry Support With Additional Demands
Purpose of the film centre
Government and Industry Support
Adhikari said the government would support the film industry and provide infrastructure while allowing experts to handle work in their areas of expertise.
Industry Support With Additional Demands
Samik Bhattacharya supported strengthening the film and theatre industry but urged the finance minister to offer tax incentives and help build new cinemas.
Political controversy
Government and Industry Support
Adhikari described the film industry as united and said the government was prepared to provide assistance, including possible legislation and infrastructure support.
Industry Support With Additional Demands
Samik Bhattacharya said paint smeared on the offices of the Academy of Fine Arts and a newspaper was not the work or agenda of his party, its government or any political party.
- Initial allocation
- ₹25 crore
- Planned site
- Two acres near Akankha crossing in Action Area IIC, New Town
- Cinema facilities
- Two cinema halls with 750 seats each and a preview theatre
- Performance facilities
- A 1,000-seat auditorium and an open-air theatre
- Industry facilities
- Animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, extended reality, post-production and studio facilities
- Construction status
- The soil test is complete, the detailed project report is being processed, and construction is expected after the monsoon
- Centenary events
- Exhibitions, screenings, guided heritage walks, tributes, and the release of a commemorative stamp and special cover
Sources
Uttam Kumar Film Centre off the blocks, Suvendu Adhikari unveils foundation stone - Telegraph India
Uttam Kumar centenary: Suvendu Adhikari lays foundation of film centre named after legendary actor