After Ritu, Goutamda and Srijit bring out the best in me: Prosenjit

With his versatile acting and charming demeanour, Prosenjit Chatterjee has set a benchmark in the Bangla film industry. Considered to be one of the finest actors, successful in commercial as well as alternative cinema, Prosenjit remains oblivious to his stardom. 

Working for more than three decades, he has not only broadened the horizon of the industry but has also given shape to the incoherent pursuits of many aspiring actors. Popularly known as Bumba da and greeted as the favourite, he has delivered more than a hundred hits in a disproportionately small period of time. 

Chatterjee has carved a niche for himself with films like Chokher Bali, Dosar, Praktan, Moner Manush, Jatishwar, Khawto, Sob Choritro Kalponik, Baishe Srabon, and Utsav among several others. He has also worked with Dibakar Banerjee in Shanghai, and with Rajesh Pillai in Traffic where he shares the screen with Manoj Bajpayee, Jimmy Shergill, and Parambrata Chatterjee. 

I vividly remember the days when my dad, Uttam jethu, Soumitra kaku, Anil kaku, Ranjit kaku, and Subhendu kaku partied together. They used to cook excellent food, spent time singing, dancing and discussing films. Those moments are very close to my heart. 

 

Besides my father, Biswajit Chatterjee, my mother has tremendously inspired me. She taught me the importance of struggle and discipline. She was my guiding star.

I was only four years when I did Chotto Jigyasha. It was more like a game to me as whenever I said I wanted to play shooting people started the actual shooting. I remember walking in front of Dakhineswar temple barefoot in the scorching sun for Chotto Jigyasha without even complaining. 

Acting since an early age made me a dedicated actor. I believe I have it in my genes.  Madhabi aunty had once told my mom that Bumba would be a big name in the upcoming days. 

Kolkata is my city. Apart from the rapid growing pollution, I love almost everything about this place. I like how people have become more enthusiastic about their work. They are culture driven, artistic, caring and most importantly lovable. The warmth that this city provides is way beyond comparison.

Both are crucial to me. If you lack proper content, you can't drive the audience to the theatre. Similarly, you need an excellent director to come up with substantial audience driven content. They are like two sides of the same coin.

I had a fantastic time walking the red carpet at Toronto Film Festival with Buddha Da for Ami Yasin Ar Amar Madhubala and at Shanghai Film Festival for Moner Manush. Such things in life never come easy. It's a great feeling altogether.

For me, the content is very crucial. But I also see how enthusiastic and passionate the director is about the movie.

I am happy with the way people have accepted me. But for me, Uttam jethu remains the one and only 'Mahanayak'.

One has to be self-confident and give 200 per cent while portraying a character. If one can do that, then he/she not only does justice to the character but also to the film as a whole. An actor has to understand the thick and thin of the character. Otherwise, it is nearly impossible to match up to the given role. 

I am still open to commercial films provided I get a good script. 

I have seen the industry grow. With the advent of new technologies, the way of doing things have become easier. Earlier, when we shot, we lacked something or the other when it came to material needs, but now almost everything is available at a hand's distance. I always ask producers to go for newer technologies so that our industry is at par with others. It has developed a lot over the time. However, I think Bengali film industry should focus a bit more on international marketing.

It is tough to choose one out of more than 340 films, but Amar Sangi was a turning point in my career.  Rituparno Ghosh's films have been life-changing, especially Utsav. He has cultivated me in an unconventional manner. 

Films like Moner Manush and Sankhachil, which were directed by Goutam Ghose,  have helped me develop as an actor in a different way. Then, movies directed by Srijit Mukherji like Autograph, Baishe Srabon and Jaatishwar had been very influencing and are very close to my heart.

It has to be Moner Manush. When Goutam da offered me the role, I asked him whether I'd be able to pull off the character exactly the way he wanted. It took me more than nine months just to build the character.

This is a true statement. Those two movies were challenging in their own ways, and I have worked day and night to give my best. After Ritu, I think Goutam da and Srijit bring out the best in me.

Ritu and I shared a very special bond. He was my friend, philosopher, and guide. His absence has undoubtedly left a huge gap in my life. But whenever I need any advice, I think of how Ritu would have dealt with it and what he'd have wanted me to do. I live with those beautiful memories and the moments we spent together. People would have seen more of his fantastic movies if he didn't leave us. Our film industry lost one of its gems too soon. 

I am an actor first. Although I love making films, I can never proclaim myself to be a producer. I am positive towards scripts with good content. It's not about being choosy, but I prefer the theme in the same way I prefer the subject for my film as an actor.

At this juncture, it's not possible to shift  entirely to Mumbai. But, yes I am looking for some good concepts where I can fit the bill. I also have plans to direct a Hindi movie very soon. 

I will start shooting for Srijit Mukherji's Kakababu part 2, which will be the first 3D project in Bengali film. The shooting will take place in Switzerland, and we all are excited about it. 

Next, I have Srijit's Zulfiqar coming up, where I'm playing the role of Julius Caesar.  It is a double adaption of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra set in the backdrop of the shipping mafia in Kolkata. Along with these, I have two more Hindi films due.  

The Bengali film industry is doing as good as other regional industries like the Marathi, Telugu, and Malayalam filmindustries. Nowadays, people all over the world watch Bengali movies. I have seen how people in the US go gaga over new Bengali releases. So I think, a brighter future lies ahead. 

I look out for innovative roles. Whenever I play a character, I feel the urge to do something unusual as compared to the previous one, something that people have never seen me doing. But I wish to play the character of Chhabi Biswas in Jalsaghar or something like Godfather.