Latest news with #Uttam
New Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Providing irrigation water to tail-end farmers remains a priority: Uttam
NALGONDA: Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday opened the crest gates of the Nagarjunasagar Project, following substantial inflows from upstream due to persistent rainfall. This was the first floodwater release in the month of July after 18 years. The reservoir, located in Nalgonda district, reached near-full capacity, prompting the controlled release of water. Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Adluri Laxman Kumar, along with local MLAs and senior irrigation officials, participated in the ceremonial opening after offering prayers to the Krishna river. Gates 13 and 14 were lifted first, followed by eight more. In total, 14 gates were raised to a height of 5 feet, releasing 78,060 cusecs of water. An additional 68,000 cusecs were later discharged. Speaking to the media, Uttam described the Nagarjunasagar as a symbol of irrigation development and traced its history back to its foundation stone laid by Jawaharlal Nehru on December 10, 1955. The dam was inaugurated by Indira Gandhi in 1967, with the crest gates completed in 1974. Uttam, who has represented the ayacut region six times as MLA and once as MP, said providing water to tail-end farmers remains a priority. 'I've seen farmers wait for water at the tail end. Today, I stand here not just as a minister, but as one among them,' he said. The project also generates 700 MW of power through seven main plant units and an additional 60 MW through two units on the left canal, supported by a steady 30,000 cusecs flow over the last four days. Ahead of the Kharif season, the government released 3,000 cusecs through the left canal in advance of the formal schedule, a move Uttam described as part of a broader irrigation plan.
India.com
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Who is this actor, whose 29 out of 30 films are hits, known as Mahanayak, drove himself to hospital when he faced..., he was...
Before he became a legend, there was a time when a young actor from Kolkata struggled to make a mark in the world of cinema. Despite his good looks and natural talent, his first few films were massive flops. He was mocked by the press, labelled 'flop master general,' and many believed he lacked the spark needed for stardom. But destiny had other plans for this actor who would later rule the hearts of millions. Who was this legendary actor? This story is about none other than Late Uttam Kumar, the iconic star of Bengali cinema who earned the title of Mahanayak. Born as Arun Kumar Chatterjee, he started his film journey in the early 1940s. For the first seven to eight years, none of his films succeeded. But Uttam did not give up. He worked on improving his craft, learning from his mistakes, and staying focused. His turning point came with the 1952 film Basu Paribar, and then with Agni Pariksha (1954), which became massive hit and changed his life. With which actress did Uttam Kumar give back-to-back hits? One of the biggest reasons behind Uttam Kumar's success was his chemistry with Suchitra Sen. Their on-screen pair became iconic and remains unmatched in Bengali cinema. They delivered 29 hit films together, including Harano Sur, Saptapadi, and Shilpi. Their romantic dramas were not only commercially successful but emotionally rich, earning them a loyal fan base. Uttam wasn't just a romantic hero. He was a brilliant actor who could perform in intense dramas, comedies, and thrillers. His talent caught the attention of legendary filmmaker Late Satyajit Ray, who cast him in Nayak (1966), a film that showcased the emotional journey of a superstar. Uttam's performance in this film earned him critical acclaim even outside Bengal and made him a national icon. Despite his stardom, Uttam Kumar remained grounded. He had a passion for theatre and often returned to the stage. He was also involved in singing, producing, and directing. However, his personal life was filled with ups and downs, including a failed marriage and health issues. When Uttam Kumar drove himself to hospital On 23 July 1980, Uttam Kumar suffered chest pain during the shooting of the film Ogo Bodhu Shundori. He drove himself to the hospital. Despite treatment, he passed away the next day on 24 July 1980 at the age of 53. The city of Kolkata came to a standstill during his funeral. His contribution to cinema was so immense that the Tollygunge Film Studio in Kolkata was later named Uttam Mancha in his honour.
India.com
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Who was this Bollywood actor, who first became mega flop, then had 29 hits with 1 top heroine, became bigger superstar than Amitabh Bachchan?
In the vast world of cinema, some stars shine brightly from the start, while others take time to find their place. One such actor began his journey with a series of setbacks, earning him a less-than-flattering nickname. But with perseverance and passion, he transformed his destiny, becoming a legend in his own right. Who was this legendary actor? This is the story of Uttam Kumar, born Arun Kumar Chatterjee, who faced numerous challenges in his early career. His initial films failed to make an impact, leading to the moniker 'Flop Master General.' Despite the criticism, Uttam remained undeterred. His breakthrough came with the 1952 film 'Basu Paribar,' which marked the beginning of a successful phase in his career. Following this, he delivered a series of hits, solidifying his position in Bengali cinema. With which actresses did Uttam Kumar collaborate Uttam's on-screen pairing with Suchitra Sen became iconic, with their chemistry captivating audiences in films like 'Sharey Chuattor,' 'Saptapadi,' 'Bipasha' and 'Harano Sur.' Their collaborations defined the golden era of Bengali romantic cinema as they gave back-to-back 29 hits together. After making a name in Bengali films, he also stepped into Hindi films. His most famous Hindi film was 'Amanush' released in 1975, in which his acting was highly appreciated along with her chemistry with Sharmila Tagore, which later received the tag of iconic pairing on-screen. Directed by Shakti Samanta, this film was made in both Bengali and Hindi languages. Apart from this, he also worked in films like 'Anand Ashram', 'Chhoti Si Mulakat', and 'Dooriyan'. How Uttam Kumar became First Mahanayak of Indian Cinema? Beyond his romantic roles, Uttam showcased his versatility in films like Satyajit Ray's 'Nayak' and Chiriyakhana.' In 'Nayak,' he portrayed a film star grappling with personal insecurities, earning critical acclaim. His portrayal of detective Byomkesh Bakshi in 'Chiriyakhana' further demonstrated his range as an actor. Over his career, Uttam Kumar acted in over 200 films, earning the title 'Mahanayak' before Amitabh Bachchan or 'Great Hero' for his versatile and path-breaking roles. His contributions to cinema were recognized with numerous awards, including the National Film Award for Best Actor. Even after his untimely death in 1980, his legacy continues to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Fans seek heritage status for Uttam Kumar's Shilpi Sansad address
1 2 3 4 Kolkata: On Lenin Sarani stands 'Shilpi Sansad', an organisation founded by Uttam Kumar in 1968 to support needy workers of Tollywood. At its gate, hangs a KMC board, cautioning people that it's a 'dangerous building'. Uttam fans have long been demanding a heritage status for the house, which was once a gathering place for the Tollywood's elite. On the 45th death anniversary of the matinee idol on July 24, Shilpi Sansad officials reiterated the heritage tag demand as well as a 10-day retrospective of Uttam Kumar films at Nandan. On entering 81, Lenin Sarani, a red staircase, with green walls by the side, leads to the first floor that houses a room of a man, who arrived in the city from the Sunderbans to study homeopathy the very year Uttam Kumar died. "I didn't see him at Shilpi Sansad but have heard countless stories of his visits here," said Sushanta Mondal, who keeps the keys for the office before the members arrive in the evening. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Shilpi Sansad secretary Sadhan Bagchi used to be the youngest member of the organisation until Uttam died. "Though the building looks derelict from outside, it gives a different vibe inside," Bagchi said. The room's red floor has alpana painted on it and the walls have photos of Bengali cinema icons. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Birla Evara 3 and 4 BHK from ₹ 1.75 Crore* Birla Estates Learn More Undo Sunlight beams on a cupboard full of books; trophies rest on top of it. Back in the '70s, it was a familiar address. "When political differences led to Uttam leaving Obhinetro Sangho and forming Shilpi Sansad, the idea was to continue its work in a more organised manner. A section of the industry believed they had one collective to seek help in bad times," said Sayandeb Chowdhury, who teaches at Krea University. He wrote a book on Uttam Kumar. The organisation is also a symbol of how a star could use his charm and power to help the industry's foot soldiers. "It was here that Mahanayak formalised plans to make his stage debut to raise funds for Shilpi Sansad. His first play was 'Alibaba'. Here we had meetings of our 25-member working committee. We firmed up plans for fundraisers," Bagchi added. "Uttam headlined all the fundraisers, knowing people would turn up because of him. But the money raised was for the industry and not for his personal purpose. This building deserves a heritage tag," Chowdhury added.
Hans India
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Plans afoot to resume SLBC tunnel works
Hyderabad: The Telangana government is all set to resume tunnelling operations in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC), where a cave-in had resulted in the death of eight workers in February this year. The government has roped in NGRI (National Geophysical Research Institute) and Geological Survey of India (GSI) to complete the tunnel works. Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy conducted an in-depth review of the long-pending SLBC tunnel works and directed the officials to immediately resume remaining tunnel operations, including drilling and blasting. An estimated 10-km of tunnel work remains to be completed. Calling SLBC a crucial lifeline for Telangana, Uttam said its completion must be treated as a top priority and executed with urgency. The SLBC tunnel work is being taken up using the latest electromagnetic survey technology in collaboration with the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI). To ensure precise planning and seamless execution, the minister directed the officials to expedite the aerial LIDAR survey. He met earlier in the day with NGRI scientists to finalise the technical modalities of the survey. He reiterated that cost would not be a constraint, but quality and speed must be maintained at the highest standards. The meeting also marked the first formal interaction with Colonel Parikshit Mehra, a globally acclaimed tunnel engineering expert who has recently joined the Irrigation Department on deputation. The minister expressed confidence that Mehra's expertise would help resolve long-pending technical challenges and fast-track the completion of SLBC and other key tunnel projects. He also announced that General Harpal Singh, former Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army, would soon be appointed as Honorary Advisor to strengthen the department's technical capacity and execution capabilities. The minister also reviewed water availability across all major reservoirs in Telangana and directed the Irrigation Secretary and Engineer-in-Chief to prepare a scientific and practical plan for optimal utilisation of water during the ongoing Kharif season. He said the plan must take into account current reservoir levels, expected monsoon inflows, and the total ayacut that can be served effectively. He noted that the Irrigation and Agriculture departments had worked in close coordination during the previous Kharif and Yasangi seasons, leading to a record production of 281 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of paddy.
