Uttam Kumar centenary: Suvendu Adhikari lays foundation of film centre named after legendary actor

Uttam Kumar centenary: Suvendu Adhikari lays foundation of film centre named after legendary actor Actors Ranjit Mallick, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Jisshu Sengupta, film director Harnath Chakraborty, along with BJP MLAs Rupa Ganguly, Rudranil Ghosh and veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty.

Key points

• A poster demonstrates Uttam Kumar and Sharmila Tagore from Satyajit Ray's classic Nayak, in Kolkata on Friday.
• Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting.
• He additionally thanked Jisshu Sengupta, who, according to Adhikari, took on the role of an organiser. © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd.
• On Thursday, at the "Ek Tara" open-air stage at the Nandan theatre complex, the Chief Minister had inaugurated an event marking the birth centenary of Uttam Kumar.
• Referring to Prosenjit Chatterjee's involvement in the celebrations, Adhikari remarked, Prosenjit Chatterjee has been the priest of the entire programme.

For context, a poster demonstrates Uttam Kumar and Sharmila Tagore from Satyajit Ray's classic Nayak, in Kolkata on Friday. (Partha Paul).

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari laid the foundation stone of the Uttam Kumar Film Centre near Eco Park in the New Town area in Kolkata on Friday as part of its year-long celebrations marking the birth centenary of Bengali film legend Uttam Kumar.

Notably, the state administration has allocated Rs 25 crore for the project. It will have two theatres with a seating capacity of 750 each and another with 1, 000 seats. The Centre will additionally house laboratories and studios for animation and visual effects, besides facilities for film post-production.

Actors Ranjit Mallick, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Jisshu Sengupta, film director Harnath Chakraborty, along with BJP MLAs Rupa Ganguly, Rudranil Ghosh and veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty were present at the event.

"The work on the film centre will commence shortly. From time to time, individuals from the film industry will review the progress, " Adhikari stated.

"The Bengali film industry applied to lead the whole of India. Tollywood will outshine Bollywood. We must return to that position again. Let this be the pledge of this evening. In practice, the administration will stand by you. Tell us what support you need, tell us where infrastructure needs to be provided. If budget allocation is needed, say so. If any clearance is required, if any law needs to be changed, say so. In practice, the administration will assist, " Adhikari noted.

Adhikari additionally led a one-and-a-half-km tribute walk from the state-run cultural complex Nandan to the Gaganendra Shilpa Pradarshashala.

We don't have any differences. There is no narrow-mindedness. This film industry is vibrant and stands together. If required, we will pass legislation in the assembly to support the film industry in every way, Adhikari stated at the Gaganendra Shilpa Pradarshashala, where an exhibition on the cine star began, showcasing behind-the-scenes stills, and magazines featuring him. In practice, the CM additionally unveiled that a state-of-the-art theatre complex bigger than the present Rabindra Sadan would be built to honour Kumar, and till September 6, film screenings, exhibitions, and guided heritage walks through locations tied to the actor's life would be held, he continued.

Praising the artistes involved in the celebrations, the chief minister thanked Ranjit Mallick for his backing and stated Mithun Chakraborty would shortly be appointed as a cultural adviser.

"Ranjit Mallick was present at yesterday's programme and has come today as well. I bow before him for his cooperation. Mahaguru is with us. We are going to create Mithun Chakraborty the cultural adviser, " he stated.

Referring to Prosenjit Chatterjee's involvement in the celebrations, Adhikari remarked, "Prosenjit Chatterjee has been the priest of the entire programme. He had come to me and remarked, 'I have not come to ask you for anything. Individuals have already recognised me. There is nothing new left for me to receive.'".

Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing solid Expertise and Authority in his domain. Experience Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions. Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla. Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting. Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials create him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India.

Taken together, the developments around uttam Kumar centenary: Suvendu Adhikari lays foundation of film centre named after point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.