Uttam Kumar (; born Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay; 3 September 1926 – 24 July 1980), popularly known as the Mahanayak, was an Indian actor, producer, director, script writer, composer, and singer who predominantly worked in Bengali cinema. Kumar was one of the most successful actors in Bengali cinema history. Kumar's career spanned three decades, from the late 1940s until his death in 1980. He appeared in over 200 films. Some of his best known films are Agni Pariksha, Harano Sur, Bicharak, Saptapadi, Jhinder Bandi, Sesh Anka, Deya Neya, Lal Pathore, Jatu Griha, Thana Theke Aschi, Chowringhee, Nayak, Antony Firingee, Amanush, Bagh Bondi Khela and Chiriyakhana (1967). Early life Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay was born on 3 September 1926 at a maternal home in Ahiritola in northern Calcutta. His father was Satkari Chattopadhyay and his mother was Chapla Devi. He was from a middle class family. He had two brothers, Barun Kumar and Tarun Kumar. His younger brother Tarun Kumar was also an actor. The nickname "Uttam" was given to him by his maternal grandmother. Kumar was admitted to Chakraberia High School and later entered South Suburban School (Main) where he passed matriculation. While in school, he led a theatre group called "Lunar Club". Kumar's first role was in Rabindranath Tagore's Mukut. At the age of ten, he won a trophy for his role in the play. He joined Goenka College of Commerce and Business Administration for his higher studies, but was unable to complete this education because of the financial difficulties his family was facing. Then he joined Kolkata Port Trust as a clerk, where he got paid 75 rupees per month. He learned singing from Nidanbandhu Banerjee. He learned Lathi Khela and practiced wrestling. He became a champion in swimming at Bhawanipur Swimming Association three years in a row. His family owned an amateur theatre group called Suhrid Samaj. Career Early film career Kumar entered the film industry in 1947, appearing as an extra in the Hindi film Mayadore, which was never released. His first released film was the 1948 film Drishtidan, directed by Nitin Bose and starring Asit Baran. The next year, he appeared as the hero in the film Kamona, changing his name again to Uttam Chatterjee. Later he changed his name again to Arun Kumar. The 1951 film Sahajatri was the first in which he used the name Uttam Kumar, at the advice of Pahari Sanyal. Many of