Uttam Kumar is regarded the greatest star of Bengali Cinema (a MahaNayak). It is quite apparent that Ray's favourite actor was Soumitra Chatterjee. Nayak and Chiriakhana are the only two films Ray made with Uttam. It is an ironic film made at a time Uttam was at his peak of his star status like his character Arindam and this movie almost feels like a Ray's satirical tribute to Uttam - smooth professional that he was Uttam unperturbed gives a superb performance. Nayak is my personal favourite of Ray films and certainly the best of Uttam's films. Sadly, I have never been able to see Chiriakhana. has anyone seen this film? It is the only whodunit Ray filmed without Soumitra in the lead role. Wonder why Satyajit didn't continue with Uttam after this performance...
