Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari pays tribute at Uttam Kumar’s statue to mark the icon’s birth centenary
Urging Tollywood to reclaim its past glory, the CM called upon the film industry to rise again, backed by Mithun Chakraborty ’s proposal for a 30% tax-adjusted subsidy for anyone shooting in Bengal. He said PM Narendra Modi had dedicated five minutes to Uttam Kumar on his Aug 30 Mann Ki Baat. He urged the authorities to offer a 30% subsidy to filmmakers shooting in Bengal.
Highlighting how the film fraternity rallied to celebrate the centenary, with stars like Prosenjit, Mithun, Dev, Jeet, and Sandip Ray driving the plans, Adhikari announced state-backed infrastructure projects, like modernising Uttam Mancha, establishing Uttam Kumar Film Centre and issuing a commemorative coin bearing Uttam Kumar’s image and a postage stamp to mark his birth centenary.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said his administration was correcting a convention, established by the previous govt by shifting celebrations to the actor’s birth anniversary while observing his death anniversary solely for respectful ‘shhradhanjali’. Earlier, Adhikari took to social media and hailed Uttam Kumar as a “towering cultural icon” whose “peerless acting prowess” and “effortless screen presence” redefined cinema. The entire country is proud and happy,” he said. Our govt will not engage in politics, micromanagement or bossism, we will only cooperate,” the CM said. Mithun added, “He said, ‘It shall be done.
“Before I posted on social media, he posted about the Mahanayak on his personal account. Tributes on his birth centenary…. “We were leaders in this platform. There is no denying that we have not been able to progress as much, while the South and Mumbai film industries have advanced. I want our film industry to reclaim its former glory. Praising Adhikari’s efforts, Mithun addressed the audience, saying, “Ekei bole mukhyomontri (This is what you call a chief minister). We will not offer cash incentives, but it will be adjusted through taxes. I and the Federation and EIMPA will take a proposal to the CM, and he will approve it.”
Kolkata: Setting aside differences, the cinematic universe of Bengal united on Thursday morning at Tollygunge to honour the birth centenary of the Mahanayak, as several prominent figures, who were earlier associated with the Trinamool, shared the stage and celebrations. On Thursday, Modi posted on X: “Mahanayak Uttam Kumar…a legend whose timeless performances connect with people across generations.