Sharodiya Anjali 2005 - Pujari

__________________________________________________________________Durga Puja 2005
films. There was more to Uttam
than just the actor. He also
explored new avenues of
filmmaking by trying his hand at
production, singing, composing
music, screenplay writing and
directing. The success of his
Bengali films as Producer -
Harano Sur, Saptapadi,
Bhrantibilash), Uttar Falguni,
Jatugriha, Grihadah all did well
enough. This prompted Uttam
Kumar to try and launch himself
in Hindi films. He produced
Chhotisi Mulaqaat in 1967
starring himself and
Vyjantimala. The film was
adaptated from Agniparikhsha
and had music by Shankar-
Jaikishen. The film however was a
dismal failure at the box-office
leaving him with a pile of debt and
probably leading to his first heart
attack. Though he recovered and
returned to full time acting, thus
clearing his debts, he was never to
produce a film again.
Uttam
Kumar did
return
sporadically
to Hindi
films
however
with a
memorable
performances in Amanush, perhaps
his most well-known Hindi film,
and also Anand Ashram, Kitaab
and Dooriyaan.
On July
24, 1980
Uttam
Kumar
was
admitted to
the
Belleveue
Clinic with a massive heart
attack. The doctors did their best
for 16 hours but sadly, he passed
away that night. As his hearse
wound its way across
Bhowanipur and finally to the
Keoratala Burning Ghat, traffic in
Kolkata came to a halt as
thousands flocked the streets to
pay their respects and have a last
glimpse of the legend.
Quoting Satyajit Ray:
"It is the demise of a leading light of the Bengali film industry…There isn't - there won't be another hero like
him.
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Sharodiya Anjali 2005 35 n¡lc£u¡ A”m£ 1412