Heritage Academy Celebrates Uttam Kumar's Centenary with Two-Day Film Festival

The Heritage Academy's Department of Media Science wrapped up its two-day film festival on 13 May 2026, drawing together students, filmmakers, academics, and cinema lovers for a comprehensive exploration of cinematic arts, visual storytelling, and creative expression.

The event opened with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony led by writer and journalist Sankarlal Bhattacharjee alongside other institutional leaders. Prof. Dr. Gour Banerjee, Principal of The Heritage Academy; Prof. Dr. Basab Choudhury, Principal of The Heritage Institute of Technology and Senior Director of Kalyan Bharti Trust; and Prof. Dr. Madhupa Bakshi, Dean of the Department of Media Science, delivered opening remarks welcoming participants.

The festival's opening day centred on a significant tribute to the legendary actor, with Sankarlal Bhattacharjee delivering a presentation on "100 Years of Uttam Kumar," moderated by student representative Suchetana Banerjee. The day featured multiple competitions testing participants' skills across different formats: the "Nayak" Film Reel Making Competition, "Samadhan" Film Quiz, and "Chhadmabeshi" Fiction Film Making Competition, all showcasing student creativity and cinematic knowledge.

The second day maintained momentum through additional competitive events including the "Sei Chokh" Non-Fiction Film Making Competition and the "Uttam Kalam" Script Writing Competition. A fashion design competition titled "Jatra Holo Shuru" brought visual spectacle and artistic flair to the proceedings.

A standout moment came when celebrated actor Moon Moon Sen and multitalented performer Alokananda Roy—known for her work as an actor, dancer, choreographer, and social advocate—participated in an interactive discussion moderated by Mrs. Masum Sengupta. The conversation offered students practical guidance on navigating the film industry while exploring cinema's potential for social change and artistic expression.

The festival concluded with an awards ceremony presided over by Alokananda Roy and Moon Moon Sen, honouring excellence across all competitions.

According to Pradip Agarwal, CEO of Heritage Group of Institutions, the festival represented more than entertainment programming. "Cinema is not merely a medium of entertainment; it is a powerful reflection of society, culture, and human emotions," he stated. "Through the Heritage Academy Film Festival 2026 and the celebration of 100 years of Uttam Kumar, we aimed to inspire young minds to appreciate the timeless legacy of storytelling while encouraging them to explore their own creative voices. It is heartening to witness such enthusiasm, talent, and artistic passion among students."

The event reinforced The Heritage Academy's focus on developing emerging media professionals through experiential learning and exposure to established practitioners in the field.