From a petty clerk in the then Calcutta Port Commissioners (now known as the Calcutta Port Trust) evolved the most popular romantic lead in Bengali cinema, and Arun Kumar Chatterjee became the heartthrob ‘Uttam Kumar’.

His ascending career started with the release of ‘Saday Chuatter’ (44 and a half), co-starring Suchitra Sen. During a short span of time, he had appeard with Suchitra Sen, Supriya Devi, Madhabi Mukherjee, Sharmila Tagore and Aparna Sen, all the formidable leading ladies of the Bengali screen. Although comfortable in all sorts of roles, Uttam was most loved as the romantic hero. Even today, Kolkata has just one Mahanayak -- Uttam Kumar.