Actor · Director · Writer

Utpal Dutt

Indian actor

Born March 29, 1929 · Barisal, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Barishal, Bangladesh)

Died August 19, 1993 · Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, India

Died aged 645′ 11″ (1.80 m)Active 1947–1993Indian

Biography

Utpal Dutt was an acclaimed Indian actor, theatre director, and playwright who made a lasting contribution to Bengali theatre and Indian cinema. Born on 29 March 1929 in Barisal, he developed an early interest in acting and Shakespearean theatre. He founded the Little Theatre Group in 1949 and became known for productions that explored political and social issues. Alongside his theatrical work, Dutt appeared in numerous Bengali and Hindi films, earning recognition for his commanding performances and exceptional comic timing. His memorable film roles include Bhuvan Shome, Gol Maal, Guddi, Naram Garam, and Agantuk. He received the National Film Award for Best Actor for Bhuvan Shome and several Filmfare Awards for comedy. Utpal Dutt died on 19 August 1993, leaving a significant legacy in Indian theatre and cinema.

Notable works

Bhuvan Shome1969Gol Maal1979Joi Baba Felunath1979Guddi1971Naram Garam1981Shaukeen1982Rang Birangi1983Agantuk1991Padma Nadir Majhi1993The Stranger1991

Awards & honours

5 wins and 2 nominations
Filmfare Award — Best Comic ActorNaram Garam (1982) — Winner
Filmfare Award — Best Comedian/ComedienneGol Maal (1980) — Winner
BFJA Award (Bengal Film Journalists' Association) — Best ActorThe Stranger (1993) — Winner
Silver Lotus Award (National Film Awards, India) — Best ActorBhuvan Shome (1970) — Winner
BFJA Award (Bengal Film Journalists' Association) — Best ActorPath O Prasad (1992) — Winner
Filmfare Award — Best Supporting ActorSaaheb (1986) — Nominee
Filmfare Award — Best Supporting ActorAmanush (1976) — Nominee

Family

SSShobha SenSpouse · married in 1960

GDGirijaranjan DuttParent · Father

SDShailabala DuttParent · Mother

DBDr. Bishnupriya DuttChild · daughter

MRMihir Ranjan DuttSibling · brother

NDNilin DuttSibling · brother

FFilmmather EditorialUpdated Oct 24, 2026

Utpal DuttIndian actor

Born: March 29, 1929
Barisal, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Barishal, Bangladesh)
Died: August 19, 1993 (aged 64 years)
Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, India
Cause: Heart attack
Height: 5′ 11″ (1.80 m)
Nationality: Indian
Occupation: Actor, Director, Writer
Years active: 1947–1993
Spouse: Shobha Sen (married in 1960)
Children: Dr. Bishnupriya Dutt (daughter)
Parents: Girijaranjan Dutt (Father)
Shailabala Dutt (Mother)
Siblings: Mihir Ranjan Dutt (brother)
Nilin Dutt (brother)
Education: St. Edmund's School (Shillong) and St. Xavier's Collegiate School (Kolkata) (completed his Matriculation in 1945)
University of Calcutta (B.A. (Honours) in English Literature, 1945 – 1949)
Residence: Tollygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal, India