Uttam Kumar, Tollywood, and BJP’s cultural power play in Bengal
· India · Indian Express, Hindustan Times
The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, organised a tribute ceremony to mark the birth centenary of legendary Bengali actor Uttam Kumar, also known as 'Mahanayak', in Kolkata on Thursday. The event was attended by prominent figures from the film industry, including film star Prosenjit Chatterjee and actor Rituparna Sengupta. This move is seen as part of the BJP's outreach to the Bengali film industry, known as Tollywood, following their win in the Assembly elections. The celebration included a tribute walk and a special ceremony at the actor's statue near the Tollygunge metro station. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also released a video statement commemorating the occasion.
Why it matters
The BJP's celebration of Uttam Kumar's birth centenary is significant as it marks an attempt to consolidate the party's control over the Bengali film industry. This move could potentially influence the cultural and political landscape of West Bengal.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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