Rituparna Sengupta hails Modi, Mamata for Uttam Kumar birth centenary tributes
Synopsis
A rare moment of bipartisan cultural unity: PM Modi’s early-morning X post honouring Uttam Kumar on his birth centenary, paired with CM Mamata Banerjee’s grand inauguration, drew an emotional response from actress Rituparna Sengupta, who declared the Mahanayak a national and international personality — not just Bengal’s own.
Key Takeaways
Actress Rituparna Sengupta praised PM Narendra Modi and CM Mamata Banerjee for honouring Uttam Kumar on his birth centenary on 3 September .
PM Modi posted a tribute on X (formerly Twitter) , calling Uttam Kumar ‘a legend whose timeless performances connect with people across generations.’ Modi also shared a clip from his Mann Ki Baat address reflecting on Uttam Kumar’s resilience and dedication.
CM Mamata Banerjee organised a grand inauguration ceremony in West Bengal to mark the centenary.
Uttam Kumar was born Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay on 3 September 1926 and passed away on 24 July 1980 .
Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta on 3 September praised both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for their tributes to legendary actor Uttam Kumar on his birth centenary, calling the iconic star a figure who belongs not just to Bengal but to the entire nation.
Rituparna's Reaction
Speaking to reporters, Sengupta described the centenary celebrations as a moment of immense joy. “Today, I am very happy to celebrate Uttam Kumar’s centenary. Our Chief Minister has given such a grand inauguration. I am very happy to think that our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, tweeted about Uttam Kumar early in the morning,” she said. She added, “Uttam Kumar is not only ours; he belongs to the nation. He is a national figure, an international personality.”
Sengupta further noted that the celebrations would continue throughout the year, underlining the enduring reverence for the actor across Bengali cultural life.
PM Modi’s Tribute on X
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Uttam Kumar through a post on X (formerly Twitter), describing him as “a legend whose timeless performances connect with people across generations.” Modi also shared a clip from his Mann Ki Baat address from the previous Sunday, in which he reflected on the actor’s resilience. “His life offers another great lesson: never give up. Although his early films did not fare well, he remained focused on his work. It was this dedication that enabled him to reach such great heights,” the Prime Minister said in the clip.
Mamata Banerjee’s Grand Inauguration
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee organised the centenary inauguration ceremony in West Bengal, which Sengupta described as a “grand” event befitting the actor’s stature. The state government’s initiative underscores Uttam Kumar’s deep cultural significance to Bengal’s identity, even decades after his passing.
Who Was Uttam Kumar
Born Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay on 3 September 1926, Uttam Kumar rose from modest beginnings to become the undisputed ‘Mahanayak’ — the great hero — of Bengali cinema. His career spanned decades and produced some of the most celebrated films in Indian regional cinema. He passed away on 24 July 1980, but his work continues to draw new audiences across generations, a legacy both Modi and Banerjee invoked in their tributes.
The centenary marks a rare moment of bipartisan cultural consensus, with the Centre and the West Bengal state government both publicly honouring a figure who defined an era of Indian cinema.
Point of View
Yet both claimed the Mahanayak’s legacy on the same morning. For Modi, the Mann Ki Baat reference and the X post signal a deliberate outreach to Bengali sentiment, a constituency the BJP has long courted. Whether cultural diplomacy translates into political goodwill in West Bengal is another question entirely, but the optics of a national leader and a state rival both bowing to the same icon is itself a story worth noting.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Uttam Kumar’s birth centenary being celebrated in 2024?
Uttam Kumar was born on 3 September 1926, making 2024 the 100th anniversary of his birth. Both the West Bengal state government and the Centre have organised events and tributes to mark the occasion, reflecting his enduring stature in Indian cinema.
What did PM Modi say about Uttam Kumar?
PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter) calling Uttam Kumar ‘a legend whose timeless performances connect with people across generations.’ He also shared a clip from his Mann Ki Baat address in which he highlighted the actor’s perseverance, noting that despite early failures, Uttam Kumar’s dedication carried him to great heights.
What did Rituparna Sengupta say about the centenary celebrations?
Rituparna Sengupta expressed happiness over the grand inauguration organised by CM Mamata Banerjee and praised PM Modi for his early-morning tribute on X. She described Uttam Kumar as ‘not only ours’ but a national and international personality who transcended regional boundaries.
Who was Uttam Kumar?
Uttam Kumar, born Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay on 3 September 1926, is widely regarded as the greatest actor in Bengali cinema history, earning the title ‘Mahanayak’ (great hero). He passed away on 24 July 1980, but his films continue to attract audiences across generations.
What role did Mamata Banerjee play in the centenary events?
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee organised a grand inauguration ceremony to mark Uttam Kumar’s birth centenary. Rituparna Sengupta specifically credited Banerjee for the scale and grandeur of the event.
