'Great Hero'),[1] was an Indian film actor, producer, director, screenwriter, composer, and playback singer who predominantly worked in Bengali cinema.

[3] Kumar is regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema and also the most popular and successful film star in Bengal.

[4] He appeared in over 200 films, including Agni Pariksha, Harano Sur, Bicharak, Saptapadi, Jhinder Bandi, Sesh Anka, Deya Neya, Lal Pathor, Jatugriha, Thana Theke Aschi, Chowringhee, Nayak, Nishi Padma, Chhadmabeshi, Dhanyee Meye, Amanush, Agnishwar, Bagh Bondi Khela, Sanyasi Raja, Ogo Bodhu Shundori.

[16] 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.

He left college when he was in his last year[16] and joined Kolkata Port Trust as a clerk, where he got paid 275 rupees per month.

The following year, he worked with the same studio and director in the comedy film Sharey Chuattor, which was his first time paired with Suchitra Sen.

[22] In the same year he worked in Sabar Uparey and a different genre film called Hrad, where he played a mental patient who lost his memory.

In 1959 he worked on many iconic films like Bicharak, Abak Prithibi, Chawa Pawa, Marutirtha Hinglaj and Sonar Harin.

He also worked in Uttarayan, Surya Sikha with Supriya Devi, and thriller film Sesh Anka; and produced Branti Bilash where he played another dual role and Uttar Falguni.

Satyajit Ray invited Uttam Kumar to the premiere, and when he arrived at theatre there were thousands of people gathered there.

[26] In 1967, Kumar worked with Ray again in Chiriyakhana, in which he became the first actor to play the iconic Bengali detective Byomkesh Bakshi.

He worked in Jiban Mrityu, Nayika Sangbad, Grihadaha where he won his fourth time BFJA Best Actor Award, and in Chiriyakhana.

In 1971 he worked in the iconic comedy Dhanni Meye and Chhadmabeshi, Jiban Jiggasa and Ekhane Pinhar for this film he won his fifth BFJA Best Actor Award.

In 1974 he worked In a double version (Bengali and Hindi) color big film Amanush directed by Shakti Samanta.

In 1975 he appeared in big hit films such as Sanyashi Raja, Mouchak, and Agnishwar, and worked with Suchitra Sen for the last time in Priyo Bandhobi.

[30] From 1976, Kumar's career slumped, despite he give some hit films like Banhisikha (1976) where he won his eighth and last BFJA Best Actor Award which was a record win at that time and Sei Chokh.

After his death some films were released; one of them Ogo Badhu Sundori (1981), became a huge success at the box office and ran for 26 weeks.

The first film produced under this banner was Bhranti Bilash, which was followed by Uttar Falguni, and Jatugriha which both won National Award again, and Grihadaha [bn].

[36] In 1962, his friend, composer Hemant Kumar, offered him the lead role in a Hindi film titled Sharmili, directed by Biren Nag.

The film was successful, and was followed by Agni Pariksha, Shilpi, Saptapadi,[51][52] Pathe Holo Deri, Harano Sur, Chaowa Paowa, Bipasha, Jiban Trishna, Sagarika, Trijama, Indrani, Sabar Upare, Surjyo Toron, Rajlakshmi O Sreekanto, Ekti Raat, Grihadaha, Kamallata, Har Mana Har, and Alo Amar Alo.

In 1963, Uttam left his family home at Girish Mukherjee Road, Bhowanipur and stayed with Supriya for the next 17 years until his death.

[54] They starred together in several other films like Uttarayan, Chiradiner, Agni Sanskar, Suno Baranari, Kal Tumi Aleya, Lal Pathor, Andha Atit, Sudhu Ekti Bochhor, Mon Niye, Bilambita Loy, Bhola Maira, Sanyasi Raja, Bon Palashir Padabali, Sister, Jibon Mrityue, Bagh Bandir Khela.

[60] In 1968, he left Abhinetri Sangha and founded his own foundation, Shilpi Sangshad, to help poor artists and technicians.

This time, suspecting an attack, he drove himself to Belle Vue Clinic, which was a five-minute drive from his Moira Street residence.

[citation needed] The Department of Post released a postage stamp featuring the actor on 3 September 2009, celebrating the 83rd anniversary of his birth.

[21] In 2019 at Ahiritola street the birth place of Kumar another statue was established which inaugurated by the mayor of Kolkata Firhad Hakim.

[19] In 2012, on his death anniversary, the Government of West Bengal created the Mahanayak Samman Award, named after Kumar, for lifetime achievement in films.

[25] Same year the iconic bengali film Autograph directed by Srijit Mukherjee there was a tribute to both Kumar and Satyajit Ray.

[12] In 2016, a television series based on Kumar's life, Mahanayak, was made, starring the Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee.

[11] In 2022, a biopic of Kumar made named as Achena Uttam, starred the Bengali actor Saswata Chatterjee.