Uttam Kumar biopic: Sujan Mukhopadhyay replies to the criticism

After a long legal battle, Uttam Kumar's biopic Jete Nahi Dibo, directed by Prabir Roy, will be released next week. In fact, the case went on for three years in the court. Sujan Neel Mukherjee plays an older Uttam Kumar. Criticism started soon after his look was released.

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The director portrayed Uttam Kumar's entire life, spanning his childhood and ending in his death. He is more keen to tag the film as a docu-feature rather than a biopic. Prabir said 'I came close to him in the last seven years of his life. I tried to put a lot of unknown information in the film.' The film was supposed to be released in 2019. But Uttam Kumar's family filed a case to stop the release. Prabir said 'They did not watch the film but complained that I tarnished his image. After getting the verdict in August, the film was released on September 1 in a theatre. Now it will be released in full-fledged.' 

Prabir has been struggling with the film since its start in 2017. But Sujan's look attracted many criticisms. Will it affect the film? Prabir said 'I know that Uttam Kumar has no alternative. But we had to take someone keeping in mind the content.' He first went to Bhaskar Bandyopadhyay to play the role but he did not agree. Prabir said 'I saw one of Neel's photos wearing sunglasses and I thought he would suit the role.' In his opinion, no controversial subject in Uttam Kumar's life got space in the film. 

How does Sujan see the controversy? He said 'It is a matter of sentiment to the Bengalis if we make anything on our national icons. So, I was afraid. But people will like the unknown sides of his life.' People saw Prosenjit, Saswata Chatterjee, and Jisshu Sengupta as Uttam Kumar previously. What was Sujan's thought? He replied 'No one looks like Uttam Kumar. when I did Jagannath after Arun Mukhopadhyay, or when I played Sisir Bhaduri, I said that the only thing important to me was whether I could do justice to the character.' He also said that he did not try to copy Uttam Kumar. He thinks that trolling is a part of our culture now. 'People have a right to say. Let the discussion go on, no harm in it. I am not unhappy. I will accept what the audience says.' 

Mallika Singha Roy plays an older Supriya Devi and Sakuntala Barua plays Kanan Devi. Payel Ray plays Sabitri Chatterjee. Dulal Lahiri, Swastika Dutta, and Debraj Roy play other roles.