{
  "id": 5461396,
  "title": "Uttam Kumar, Tollywood, and BJP’s cultural power play in Bengal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/uttam-kumar-tollywood-and-bjps-cultural-power-play-in-bengal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T01:28:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/uttam-kumar-tollywood-and-bjps-cultural-power-play-in-bengal-10862354/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bengali film star Uttam Kumar, widely revered as the greatest Bengali cine star of all time, continues to hold immense significance for the people of Bengal even four decades after his passing. The BJP-led government in West Bengal has recognized this cultural importance by organizing a tribute ceremony at Uttam Kumar's statue in Tollygunge, Kolkata, on the occasion of his birth centenary. The ceremony saw the participation of several prominent figures from the film industry, including Prosenjit Chatterjee, Ranjit Mallick, Deepak Adhikari, and director Gautam Ghosh. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari paid homage to Kumar by touching his feet and presenting him on stage.\n\nThis significant outreach by the BJP not only highlights the importance of Bengali cultural politics to the ruling party but also marks a notable shift in the dynamics of Tollywood. Previously, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Mamata Banerjee had attempted to enhance their cultural credentials by honoring Uttam Kumar. However, the BJP's recent actions demonstrate a newfound commitment to supporting the film industry, pledging to pass legislation in the state assembly to aid the industry in various ways. Additionally, a state-of-the-art theatre complex, larger than the existing Rabindra Sadan, is set to be built to honor Uttam Kumar, with the foundation stone set to be laid in New Town, Kolkata.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Uttam Kumar, Tollywood icon, revered posthumously for four decades",
    "BJP-led West Bengal honors Kumar's birth centenary with tribute ceremony",
    "State to build new theatre complex in honor of Uttam Kumar"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The BJP's tribute to Uttam Kumar and pledge to support the film industry signals a bid to strengthen its cultural foothold in Bengal, potentially altering the state's cultural politics landscape.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "On Uttam Kumar’s birth centenary, West Bengal CM vows to keep politics out of Tollywood",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/on-uttam-kumars-birth-centenary-west-bengal-cm-vows-to-keep-politics",
        "published": "2026-09-03T19:57:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}