‘Jete Nahi Dibo’, film on Uttam Kumar, set for release after long legal battle

After a prolonged three-year legal battle, the much-talked-about documentary feature film on the life of Uttam Kumar ‘Jete Nahi Dibo’ is finally ready for its full-fledged theatrical release next week. Directed by Prabir Roy, this project faced its fair share of criticisms, the latest being the look of Sujan Neel Mukherjee, who plays an older version of Uttam Kumar.
According to Prabir Roy, his film showcases the entirety of Uttam Kumar's life, beginning from his early days to the final moments of his life. Rather than calling it a biopic, Prabir prefers to see it as a 'docu-feature'. During the last seven years of Uttam Kumar's life, Prabir had the opportunity to see him closely and he still feels a deep connection with the legendary actor.

This film, he mentions, will show several lesser-known facets of the legend. Originally, it was scheduled for a 2019 release. However, due to legal issues initiated by Uttam Kumar's family, alleging the tarnishing of the matinee idol’s image, the release was postponed. The court's verdict in August allowed for a limited release on September 1, with a full release set for the upcoming week.
The journey since the film's inception in 2017 has been tumultuous for Prabir. Criticisms surrounding Sujan's portrayal of Uttam were abundant. Responding to these criticisms, Prabir highlighted the challenge in finding an actor who could emulate the aura of Uttam Kumar. Initially, Bhaskar Banerjee was approached for the role but he declined. After seeing a photo of Neel donning sunglasses, Prabir believed he was apt for the role. The director also assures that the film does not delve into any controversial aspects of Uttam's life.

Sujan Neel Mukherjee, on his part, addressed the controversies, stating that portraying national icons always evokes deep sentiments, especially among Bengalis. However, he hopes the audience will appreciate the film's fresh perspectives. Sujan mentioned that while many have portrayed Uttam in the past, his focus remained on delivering justice to the character rather than mirroring Uttam's looks. He believes that while trolling and criticism have become a part of today's culture, he values the audience's feedback above all.
‘Jete Nahi Dibo’ also stars Mallika Singha Roy as an older Supriya Devi, with Sakuntala Barua playing Kanan Devi, Payel Ray as Sabitri Chatterjee, and Dulal Lahiri, Swastika Dutta, and Debraj Roy in significant roles.