Bengalis remember matinee idol Uttam Kumar on death anniversary

Nearly four decades later, Bengalis still fall back on him for the ultimate celluloid treat and romanticism.

While shooting for the film Ogo Bodhu Shundori (Hollywood's My Fair Lady inspired Bernand Shaw adaptiation) opposite actress Sumitra Mukherjee, Uttar Kumar suffered a stroke on the sets, ringing the curtains down on an illustrious silver screen life that fired the imagination of countless Bengalis sold on romanticism.

More than forty years have passed since then but Bengalis still love and respect him like before.

He is the eternal superstar, a lover like no other with an adorable pairing with the late screen goddess Suchitra Sen which churned out a repertoire of films that generations of Bengalis celebrated watching them countless times.

Born in north Kolkata, Uttam Kumar, who hailed from a Bengali middle-class family, quickly rose to fame in the regional film industry and over the years emerged as an evergreen icon of Bengali household.

The first breakthrough in his career came with Nitin Bose's Drishtidan in 1948.

Swiftly rising to fame, Kumar did films like Sharey Chuattor, Harano Sur, Indrani and Sabar Uparey.  With hugely commercial successes like Harano Sur, Saptapadi and Agni Pariksha he only scaled new heights of stardom.

After acting in several successful films, Kumar got an opportunity to work with legendary Indian director Satyajit Ray.

It was a juncture in his life when Kumar had to prove that he is a good actor too and not just a poster-boy, a perception which was prevalent among many.

In the course of his film career, Uttam Kumar's name became almost synonymous with legendary actress Suchitra Sen for their tremendous successful onscreen pairing. Rumours were even high about their possible relationship though it was not so.

Remembering Kumar, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "My sincerest tribute to legendary Mahanayak Uttam Kumar on his death anniversary. He was one of the most beloved matinee idols of our country. The icon resides in our hearts even today."