In an exclusive conversation, Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee opens up like never before. Known for redefining Bengali cinema with his diverse roles, Prosenjit recently impressed Bollywood audiences with his powerful performance in Maalik. Often called the “Anil Kapoor of Bengali cinema,” the actor spoke about his long-cherished dream of working in Bollywood and also shared his thoughts on carrying forward his father Biswajit Chatterjee’s legacy with pride. In this candid chat, Prosenjit even addressed his much-talked-about fallout with Rituparna Sengupta and his separation from Debashree Roy. Catch these intimate revelations and more about his life yet cinematic journey, only on Lehren!
#prosenjit #prosenjitchatterjee #bengaliactor #bengalicinema #maalik #bengalifilmindustry #lehren #interview #podcast #lehrenretro #exclusive
#prosenjit #prosenjitchatterjee #bengaliactor #bengalicinema #maalik #bengalifilmindustry #lehren #interview #podcast #lehrenretro #exclusive
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00:30How did you work with Rithuparna?
00:31Rithuparna, of course, for 14 years we didn't work.
00:34Yeah, she fought with you, no?
00:36Yeah, yeah.
00:37And you all fought over what?
00:39Because there were people saying that you're not romantically linked.
00:41I never fight with anybody.
00:42She decided not to work with me.
00:44In 19, 20, 18, that age, I always say that at that point of time when I used to see my father,
00:53I used to think, he's one of those villains.
00:57But now, after 20 years when I met him, we are into the same boat.
01:02She was telling me one day, you know, your father and me, we were big star and we were doing Shararat.
01:09And we were, and Manmohan Desai was the director, we were on the set, we were singing the party.
01:13Shatruji was a newcomer at that time.
01:18He came after three, two, four hours and we were going to play.
01:22It's like all this.
01:23I think, you know, the way I think, I'm sure Anil also does the same thing.
01:29Yeah, we are star, we are filmy people, but it doesn't mean that for a person like us, we should not maintain,
01:36we should keep ourselves just as a normal human being.
01:40If you do that, your stress is less and you will understand what I'm trying to say.
01:45Don't take the stress.
01:47Yeah.
01:47Let it go.
01:48Would you be able to work with Debshrie Roy?
01:50Would you be able to work with people?
01:52Yeah, we were supposed to do a film.
01:54Yeah, because you had said, I'm heartbroken two and a half years, I didn't work and all that.
01:59That was the time when I was around 2021.
02:04I'm very tender and I was more ashamed.
02:08It's not heartbroken.
02:09I was ashamed.
02:10How do I come out?
02:13The world has shown me so much and it changes with time, with your maturity, understanding people.
02:21I can tell you, I don't have enemies.
02:24Though I'm working for 40.
02:26You have no enemies.
02:27I don't have enemies.
02:28You have one thing in common with him, apart from marriages or about acting or whatever.
02:34Both of you are self-made men.
02:36Yes.
02:37Isn't it?
02:38Totally.
02:39Because even though you're a star son, you had to do it yourself.
02:42I always say, Bharti ji, whatever, I mean, I'm not judging anybody, but my strength,
02:47I'm sitting with you, I'm talking to you.
02:49It's all my maa.
02:58Thank you very much.
03:09Welcome to Mumbai, Prashanjit.
03:11Thank you so much.
03:12Now you have to say Prashanjit, or Bambada, I don't know.
03:15There are people who are there to tell me Prashanjit, but very few.
03:20Everybody calls me Bumbada with love.
03:21Bumbada.
03:22How did this name come from Bumbada?
03:24This name is true, when I was a kid,
03:32So my dad, you know, when I was a kid, I would say a little bumbum.
03:39And when my dad used to come from the shoot or something, he used to say, Baa.
03:43But now, if you see in Bengal, every alternate household has this Bumbada name.
03:49Really?
03:50Really.
03:51I know, believe me Bharati Ji, it's like our film when I was around five, five and a half,
03:57which I did Chotto Jigga Shah with Rishikesh Mughal Ji, who was the director, my dad.
04:02After that film got released, I know so many, especially women, I will say,
04:10who wrote Bumbada in my childhood, they got a kid after maybe 20 years, 25 years.
04:16And they named him Bumbada and they got them to me.
04:20Like, I wrote this in your name.
04:23So now Bumbada is becoming a very common name.
04:26So you have gotten Bumbada?
04:28I have gotten a lot of Bumbada, a lot of Bumbada.
04:32That's interesting.
04:33It has become a very common name now.
04:35It's a very lovable name.
04:37Okay.
04:38And I'm blessed, I will say that.
04:39People call me in my nickname.
04:40And everybody, I sometimes forget my Prashanjit.
04:44Prashanjit, I feel like Prashanjit, I feel…
04:46It's like it looks like it.
04:48Yeah.
04:50I said welcome to Mumbai because after Jubilee, we are suddenly seeing you all over Mumbai.
04:55I know it's not all over, but I am doing it.
04:59I am doing it.
05:00I am blessed that I have done a beautiful work with Vikram.
05:04Yes.
05:05In Jubilee and The Way.
05:07And honestly speaking, Bharatiya, I don't have time before, but now it is not.
05:13But now, in the last 10-12 years, I have one time in Bengali, if you know that I have my releases highest in one year was 22.
05:21Yes.
05:2222 releases.
05:23And almost all of them hits.
05:2580%.
05:2680%.
05:27So, it was one time.
05:29So, after Autograph special, Autograph and Baishis Rabun and Gautam Gursh, Moner Manush, I had cut down to 3-4 films a year.
05:39Okay.
05:39And you will understand because you are one of the senior most, you have seen not only actors and stars, lot of people.
05:50Yes.
05:51You have gone through.
05:52And the other thing was like, there was a time when I decided, because it is a legacy, right?
05:59I decided I will do this kind of a role.
06:02I will take those challenges and I give that space to my next generation.
06:07Next generation.
06:09Yeah.
06:10And I told it.
06:11On that action, romance, etc.
06:12It's not that I am out of my mainstream view.
06:15People really love to see me.
06:17I am dancing and fighting.
06:18Because those are the people who made me.
06:21That's the mainstream.
06:22Yeah.
06:23That's the mainstream.
06:24But I decided, let me do the kind of role which I want to do now.
06:28And honestly, that shifting with absolutely first time director like Srijit and all.
06:35Of course, with Korshik, Ganguly and…
06:38It's like a new generation.
06:39Yes.
06:40And they also explored me.
06:41So, I am enjoying my work.
06:43At this time, I feel like I will do the Bengali picture or Hindi.
06:47I don't have that race.
06:49I am a little away from that.
06:50Okay.
06:51Nobody counts me as a race.
06:52Now, people count me as a star, but he is an actor too.
06:56So, I think that was my big challenge.
06:59Okay.
06:59And Ritu was one of them who really, I think, had made me understand Ritu Kornokor that I have something else inside me.
07:08When I was doing his ownership reel, those shows…
07:11He really, you know, made me understand after Chokherwale and all those things that I have another element.
07:17So, I really wanted to nurture that.
07:19Okay.
07:20And Ritu Panna, of course, 12, 14 years we didn't work.
07:23Yeah, she fought with you, no?
07:24Yeah, yeah.
07:25So, 14 years…
07:26And we all fought over what?
07:27Because there were people saying that you are not romantically linked.
07:29I never fight with anybody.
07:30She decided not to work with me.
07:32It was good.
07:33Just to put that rumor to rest.
07:35Yeah.
07:36And after 14 years, we were mature.
07:38And the day she came and told, let's work, after 14 years when we came back, believe me, I was in tears.
07:48And I… because 14 years is one full, I will say, a circle, like 14 years.
07:55Yes.
07:56I didn't expect that from 9 o'clock morning, the shows are going to be full.
07:59The Bengali people are like… the love for Prashanji's Ritu Panna was so… it was there.
08:06Right.
08:07So, and the second film also was super hit.
08:10My third film was… we just celebrated 50th film.
08:12You did your 50th film with her.
08:14Yeah.
08:15So, that was also good.
08:16It's all blessing, but yeah, people wait.
08:18And we don't do a lot of work now.
08:20Okay.
08:21A decision that we'll do two and a half, three years gap.
08:23So, now you're love friends.
08:24Yeah, yeah.
08:25We are very close friends.
08:26I went to…
08:27You don't hold grudges.
08:28I don't hold it.
08:29Okay.
08:30Because, you see…
08:31The world has shown me so much and it changes with time, with your maturity, understanding
08:38people.
08:39I can tell you, I don't have enemy, though I'm working for 40…
08:45You have no enemies.
08:46I don't have enemies because if I see that somebody is annoyed or somebody is a little upset
08:52with me, if they're my younger, I go to them or I call them.
08:58I tell them, open your heart because I am not here to get or challenge anything.
09:06Okay.
09:07I am becoming more like an elder brother figure in Bengali.
09:09Okay.
09:10So, I don't want anybody should be hurt.
09:11Dada.
09:12Dada.
09:13So, I am okay with everybody.
09:15Okay.
09:16When my film gets released, if some other films are coming, you will see in all promotion,
09:22whatever I do, I talk about other three films also.
09:26Oh.
09:27I say, it is Bengali film, it is my film.
09:29Okay.
09:30All the films are mine.
09:31So, they also know this, I present myself in this way.
09:34You're that gracious.
09:35Always I do.
09:36Okay.
09:37Always.
09:38So, you don't have insecurities.
09:41Adi ji, after 42, I am blessed that people are coming to me and seeing me wherever I go,
09:49in suburbs, if you can just go through it, around 45,000, 50,000 people.
09:54Yeah.
09:55So much of love, what else I can, you know…
10:00Want from life.
10:01Yes.
10:02So, I think this is a time for me, yeah, maybe 20 years back, there were a lot of challenges,
10:07this, that… but as a character also, I never fought with anybody.
10:14Okay.
10:15You know, in the 80s, we were two heroes, Tapos, Paal, who just passed away and me,
10:21we were like, we were the two heroes.
10:23If you see, right now, my phone, every day morning, his wife, Bautan we say, it's a very,
10:30very beautiful words, like Bopabi, and I've seen them getting married.
10:34Right.
10:35What's up, me?
10:36I will, what's up?
10:37And Tapos, when my mom passed, he being the biggest livery, he sat in that puja, he told
10:44me, mom, your ma is to tell me, bada baita, can I sit with you to do that?
10:50So I always, I don't know why, I always believed my profession is something, my relation with my
10:58industry and my colleagues is something.
11:00That's my family.
11:01Oh.
11:02Okay.
11:03That's interesting.
11:04I've been doing it from my young age.
11:05Now, of course, all of them are much younger to me, they're doing great work, I'm so happy.
11:11Right.
11:12Because I always believed that when Uttam Kumar, my dad, Shomitra Gaku, they had fought for
11:17the industry and after a certain time, I really fought for this industry to take it forward.
11:23Now, I think it's my, my role is more that even tomorrow, my son can come to this industry,
11:29which has a very healthy industry.
11:32Okay.
11:33That's how you feel.
11:34Did you find the aging process difficult?
11:36I really aged with grace.
11:39And what I told you in 19, I mean, the year when I started doing Autograph and Baishwastra,
11:44I mean, it's 14 years back.
11:46I decided to do the character which goes with my image and I created that brand very strong.
11:52Age commensurate.
11:54Age commensurate.
11:55Yes.
11:56So, I didn't really fight for that.
11:58Because I look very young.
12:00People say that you can do something which will go like 40, maximum 42.
12:06But I really never fought for that.
12:08So, I am very flexible doing a character which is around 40, 38 to 40.
12:13I am okay to do a character where I played 102 years in Lalo.
12:18Yeah.
12:19I got national award.
12:19And you did Sheshpata.
12:20Sheshpata you have seen.
12:21Yes.
12:22And then I have taken this very interesting kind of a challenge basically.
12:27Okay.
12:28That I don't want to stick now into one kind of a role.
12:31I did Subhash Bose.
12:32Yeah.
12:33I did Anthony Ferengi.
12:34Yes.
12:35Which is when a foreigner who came to India and we have a Kalimandir where he started writing Kalimaas song.
12:42That's right.
12:43He learned Bengali.
12:44That's right.
12:45A little off-bit character also and those films are super duper it.
12:49That's right.
12:50So, you have been able to make the transition from doing just action, romance, you know, to doing whatever roles you watch.
12:57Yeah, yeah, yeah.
12:57Substantial roles.
12:58And the directors are also doing a lot of experiments with me.
13:00I am so happy for that.
13:01Yeah.
13:01You are supposed to be the Anil Kapoor of Calcutta.
13:04No, Anil is a wonderful, he is a great friend of mine.
13:07He is also a man who people should like, as an actor he is great.
13:14But the way he conducts himself, he keeps himself, wherever we meet, we hug each other and he is an inspiration.
13:22He doesn't go to sleep till 12,000 steps he is seen on his watch.
13:26No, but that's so good.
13:28I do the same thing.
13:29I mean, we are all very cautious about what we should do and I think, you know, the way I think, I am sure Anil also does the same thing.
13:39Yeah, we are star, we are filmy people, but it doesn't mean that for a person like us, we should not maintain, we should keep ourselves just as a normal human being.
13:50If you do that now, your stress is less and you will understand what I am trying to say.
13:55Don't take the stress.
13:56Yeah.
13:57Let it go.
13:58Give the stress.
13:59My mother is there.
14:00My God is there.
14:01And give your hard work.
14:02Yes, you have a very peaceful kind of a life.
14:06That's true.
14:07Yeah.
14:08You know, you said you have no rajus, which is correct.
14:11But would you be able to work with Deb Shiroi?
14:14Would you be able to work with…
14:15Yeah, we were supposed to do a film.
14:17Because you had said I am heartbroken, two and a half years I didn't work and all that.
14:23That was my… the time when I was around 20, 21.
14:27Very tender.
14:29And I was more ashamed.
14:31It's not heartbroken.
14:32I was ashamed.
14:33How do I come out?
14:35What will people ask?
14:36So, I was so young.
14:38Yeah, of course.
14:39But now we are friends and I am open to work with them.
14:43I am sure in some of this time, very soon something will happen.
14:49Yes.
14:50Yeah.
14:51Our very well-known writer, Srivaprashad and Nanditadi, they were trying to do Praktan too.
14:58Okay.
14:59Me, Deb Shiroi and Ritu.
15:01Okay.
15:02So, it got stuck but I am open.
15:05Okay, you have no rajus.
15:07No, no, no.
15:08Okay.
15:09I am very close to Krishnadi, Rani, everybody in their family.
15:14Okay.
15:15You are fine with it.
15:16Yeah.
15:17Okay.
15:18And tell me, as you have grown older, have you been able to understand your father a lot more?
15:24Of course.
15:25When we are young, we all have grudges.
15:27Of course.
15:28No, it's not grudges.
15:29It's just like emotional…
15:30No, you're filming.
15:31Yeah.
15:32What happens in the film.
15:34So…
15:35So, in 19, 20, 18, that age, I always say that at that point of time when I used to see my father, I used to think, he's one of those villains.
15:48Villain.
15:49But now, after 20 years when I met him, we are into the same boat.
15:54So, then I realized that with time, I started understanding him.
15:59It's not a…
16:00And we are not here to blame anybody.
16:02Yeah.
16:03Basically, not only my father.
16:04I am talking about nobody.
16:05Because we are end of the day human being.
16:08That is my realization.
16:10And I think as a human being, we should not take a call or judge anybody.
16:16I think when…
16:17With my time, I understood that it is all that moment that people will never understand.
16:25They will judge.
16:26So, now, I always say that till he is alive, he should be healthy.
16:31Correct.
16:32He should live his life the way he wants.
16:34So, everybody has that space.
16:37Nobody can stop that.
16:38Correct.
16:39Whatever you feel that this is something that is giving me happiness.
16:44We are missing happiness in the world.
16:47Right.
16:48So, that happiness is very important.
16:49Whether it is a relationship or whether it is your work, whether it is your commitment,
16:54I think.
16:55And of course, there was a time when I was very young, I used to think,
16:59Yeah, you should do this.
17:01But it doesn't happen.
17:02It repeats, you know.
17:04So, same thing…
17:05You also went through marriages and didn't do your work.
17:08I think this is…
17:09These are the things with the life only you learn.
17:12You learn.
17:13Yeah.
17:14And I am very happy that today's date, I am open and I am flexible and I am communicating
17:23in my own little way with everybody.
17:26I am so glad.
17:27I am so glad.
17:28I am so glad.
17:29Maybe someone is more than one.
17:30But I am communicating with everybody.
17:32With everybody.
17:33Everybody can at least call me and say this is my problem.
17:35Right.
17:36And I really want that.
17:37I believe you and dad are on WhatsApp every morning.
17:40Everybody.
17:41Every morning.
17:42Every morning.
17:43Yeah, yeah.
17:44He will say good morning and you will say Pranam.
17:45No, no.
17:46My son, again, whenever he is in Bombay, he goes there.
17:48I mean, whenever he is in Calcutta, he comes to my place.
17:52Right.
17:53So, yeah.
17:54Now, every day morning.
17:55There is a…
17:56Which are your dad's films that are your favourites?
17:58Bharatanji, honestly speaking, as an actor, my dad as an actor.
18:05I don't know how many people had watched it.
18:08There was a Hindi film long back.
18:12It was Rahagir.
18:13Rahagir.
18:14Yes, of course.
18:15So, that was one of my favourite performance of him.
18:21But if you ask me commercially, I think I really loved him in Kismath.
18:27Kajala Moham Balwala.
18:30So, that time it was a very bold step.
18:33Yes.
18:34And Bangla, he did a lot of good films.
18:36In Hindi also, he did a lot of good films.
18:38Did you get scared with Bissalbad?
18:40Yeah.
18:41Bissalbad.
18:42I, in fact, loved Kora also.
18:44Yeah.
18:45Kora was really scary.
18:48And what a good song they used to get.
18:50What lovely songs.
18:52Yeah, really.
18:53If you just…
18:54I think two or three years back, I was in IFI.
18:56So, they wanted to felicitate all those regional.
18:59So, Asha Ji was also there.
19:01So, when they asked me to be on the stage and ask me to tell something, that is there in the video viral.
19:07Okay.
19:08So, I did two or four words and then I said, I will sing two lines for Asha Ji.
19:13So, I was singing.
19:15Okay.
19:16And she was blushing.
19:18Okay.
19:19So, why don't you sing it?
19:22Oh, no, no, no.
19:23I am not a bad singer but I will next time.
19:27Okay, next time.
19:28Okay.
19:29And does your dad watch your movies and was he happy with Jubilee?
19:34Very, very much.
19:35Yeah, yeah, yeah.
19:36He is so proud.
19:37Okay.
19:38So, I wanted to come to Bombay and do some work but which I couldn't because of my too much of commitment.
19:43And I was very serious about my Bengali film.
19:45Right.
19:46But after Jubilee, any work of whatever I am doing and especially even the Bangla ones.
19:51He tried to always watch it.
19:54Okay.
19:55And I think the way at least he talks to everybody right now, he is a very proud father because
20:00he also knows that in Bengal, I had created a chapter at least.
20:05Yes.
20:06Yes.
20:07That's a very, it's a difficult thing.
20:08Absolutely.
20:09So, 40 years, I will be there in the history of him.
20:14I believe so.
20:15Totally, totally.
20:16So, I think he is a very, very proud father and now whatever I am doing in Hindi, he is
20:22really happy.
20:23Okay.
20:24And you know, you have one thing in common with him apart from marriages or about acting
20:29or whatever.
20:30Both of you are self-made men.
20:32Yes.
20:33Isn't it?
20:34Totally.
20:35Because even though you are a star son, you had to do it yourself.
20:38Absolutely.
20:39Like any other first newcomer.
20:41Yeah.
20:42At that time, his hand was not on your head.
20:44Yeah.
20:45So, you had to do it on your own.
20:46That's the reason I always say, Bharati ji, whatever, I mean, I am not judging anybody,
20:51but my strength, I am sitting with you, I am talking to you, it's all my mom.
20:56Her strength is inside me.
20:59Your mother.
21:00My dad, of course, I respect him, I love him.
21:03But my mother power is inside me.
21:06I can talk to her.
21:07Okay.
21:08I can scold her now also.
21:09Even now.
21:10Even now after she left me from last 20 years, Mac.
21:13I can talk to her.
21:14Even when I am in a trouble, I talk to only with my mom.
21:17Okay.
21:18I can sleep.
21:19If I want to really sleep, I can sleep in a lap.
21:22So, that's my emotion and my strength.
21:24Okay.
21:25My inner strength, I will say.
21:28But yes, I have struggled, just like any newcomer.
21:31A lot of things like had happened with me.
21:35But yes, God was great.
21:38And I didn't, I really, I mean, you know, my age was so tender.
21:44You are so young, Bengali film.
21:46They used to love me, but they used to always.
21:49And I have started doing very small, small characters, theatres.
21:53I used to get 300 rupees more salary.
21:55Okay.
21:56So, in a way, I just did, I used to travel in buses and all of those.
22:03Just like any newcomer.
22:04Like any newcomer.
22:05Before we didn't know people were sitting in a studio.
22:08Yeah.
22:09So, I used to go and wait to meet them.
22:12The advantage used to be that I, they knew me.
22:15Yeah.
22:16That was the advantage.
22:17But as an actor, I didn't get any advantage.
22:18I had to just go on proving it, proving it, proving it, proving it.
22:22Okay.
22:23And your dad was also self-made.
22:25He was.
22:26Yeah.
22:27He is coming from a doctor family.
22:28He was just a self-met person.
22:30And from Bengal to...
22:31He was very lucky.
22:32He was lucky.
22:33He is one of the luckiest person.
22:34Okay.
22:35Because in Bengal also, he used to do theatre.
22:37One film, which was Mayam Rigo, his first film.
22:40I think Uttam Kumar was cast.
22:42But Tarun Kumar, his brother said, he does the same role on stage.
22:48So, those days have gone.
22:50Now, Uttam Kumar said, I will do a side role.
22:52Oh.
22:53Okay.
22:54And let, we should do the main role.
22:56Wow.
22:57That's how he started his first film.
22:58That was roaring head.
23:00Okay.
23:01Same happened with Bisalabad.
23:02Hemant Kumar was going to a lot of actors.
23:05They were not doing horror film.
23:07Yeah.
23:08And he got a break and...
23:09And changed.
23:10Yeah.
23:11In a way, I will say, he is a very lucky, blessed man.
23:14Yeah.
23:15That's true.
23:16That's true.
23:17You know, he worked a lot with Mumtaz.
23:19Yeah, Mumtaz she.
23:20And you worked with Mumtaz.
23:21Yes.
23:22You know.
23:23Yeah.
23:24Andhiyan.
23:25Andhiyan.
23:26Of course, you worked as a son.
23:27Wonderful experience.
23:28Mumtaz auntie was very friendly.
23:30And basically, we used to work and hear the story from her.
23:35Those time stories.
23:37And Shatru uncle was there.
23:38Yeah, of course.
23:39Yeah.
23:40There was a lot of fun and story which is like...
23:43She was telling me one day, you know, your father and me, we were big star.
23:47And we were doing Shararat.
23:49And we were...
23:50And Manmohan Desai was the director.
23:51We were on the set.
23:52We were singing the party.
23:54Shatru ji was a newcomer at that time.
23:58He came after three to four hours.
24:01And we were working there.
24:02It's like always.
24:03And I think Mumtaz auntie's journey is also very interesting.
24:06She's very interesting.
24:07Very interesting journey.
24:08Yeah.
24:09I mean, hats off to her.
24:10The way she had come from a kind of a role, small role.
24:14Yeah.
24:15I think...
24:16And she's a very nice human being.
24:18She is.
24:19Yes.
24:20Yeah.
24:21Were you disappointed when Andhya didn't do it well?
24:24Well, again I'm saying, Andhya I did very seriously.
24:29And I think it's very today's film.
24:32It was a little ahead of time.
24:34Because that concept of mother and son like a friend.
24:38Today people will say because today's mother and son,
24:42the relationship has changed.
24:44Correct.
24:45It was a little ahead of time.
24:46That was the only minus one because the film was appreciated.
24:49And again, I was just doing a Bengali film.
24:53In this sense I know only.
24:55I was doing a Mandira with Pahlat Ji.
24:57Okay.
24:58He told me I have a script.
24:59I'm trying to get.
25:00You do it.
25:01You are so big.
25:02You are so good.
25:03You are good in everything.
25:04I said, I'm not serious about Hindi.
25:06You came to do your Bengali film.
25:08Yeah.
25:09So, he said, no, no.
25:10Let's do it.
25:11Let's do it.
25:12So, practically it's not like that because I was not,
25:15like even I came to Bombay to shoot, it was like my,
25:18I used to shoot one day here and have to go back in Calcutta and shoot in Bangla.
25:22Right.
25:23I was that busy.
25:24You were that busy.
25:25So, it really didn't hurt me.
25:27And it didn't make me become a career here.
25:30That was not.
25:31Okay.
25:32Honestly, I had left a lot of good work in Bombay that time.
25:35Right.
25:36Because I couldn't really adjust my deeds.
25:37Yeah.
25:38I used to work at least three, two, four shifts a day.
25:41Right.
25:42So…
25:43But then you did films like Mere Man Ki Bheat and you know,
25:47which you need not have done.
25:48Need not have done.
25:49Need not have done.
25:50Mahil Kumar.
25:51It was just a flow.
25:52It was on the flow.
25:53Yes.
25:54It was on the flow.
25:55I'm not serious.
25:56Yeah.
25:57Yeah.
25:58There were a lot of…
25:59But then you did Shanghai, which I think you did seriously.
26:00Yeah.
26:01Okay.
26:02That I did very seriously.
26:03But it didn't work.
26:04It didn't work.
26:05Yeah.
26:06And that was 2012, I think.
26:07So, it's taken you about 12 years for us, 12 to 13 years for us to see Jubilee.
26:12Again, I think, you know, I never pushed myself, number one.
26:18Now things have changed.
26:20There's casting directors.
26:22There are a lot of, you know, people around you too.
26:25So, I never taken that thing very seriously.
26:30But yes, now if something good comes, I'm open to do it.
26:34Right.
26:35Some good character, very strong character, I'm open to do it.
26:38Did you hesitate before doing OTT?
26:40Because that was your first.
26:41Yeah, it took me maybe two, three days just to think about it.
26:48Mm-hmm.
26:49But it was a great experience.
26:51And I think not only in India, I think all over the world, OTT, if the show is good, you can do something which you can't do in cinema.
27:02In cinema.
27:03Yes.
27:04There's a lot of restriction in cinema.
27:05I think that is a space and which reaches out to, you know, in one evening you can reach out to maximum number of people.
27:13What was your favourite about Jubilee?
27:16So, let me be very honest, the first thing when I met in Calcutta, Grant, Vikram, we were talking about the subject.
27:25When he started talking about the subject, as you know, it was Hwangshir Rao and Devudrani.
27:29Yes, yes.
27:30I started telling him the story because I was also doing a research on them.
27:34Okay.
27:35To do something.
27:36Right.
27:37That was very close to my heart.
27:38Mm-hmm.
27:39And honestly speaking, one day, I am a huge, huge, big fan of Guru Dutt.
27:44Okay.
27:45So, if you see, Vikram is also very, like, he also, I think, admires Guru Dutt.
27:51That's right.
27:52There are a few shots which is very close to Kaga's Kifu.
27:55Yeah.
27:56That shaft.
27:57Yeah.
27:58Coming, getting into the studio.
27:59Yes.
28:00So, when I used to, when I got those scope to do those kind of shots, I really used to go and hug him because I'm a great fan of Guru Dutt.
28:09Guru Dutt.
28:10I've seen all his films at least 20, 25, 30 times.
28:14Okay.
28:15So, I'm that kind of a fan, as a maker.
28:17Right.
28:18So, I think that really touched me.
28:21Yeah.
28:22Kaga's Kifu and Piyasa both are my…
28:25Favourites.
28:26Favourites.
28:27Okay.
28:28Always.
28:29It will be my favourite.
28:30So, Jubilee was a very good experience.
28:31It was exceptional.
28:32Exceptional.
28:33And the team.
28:34We are still in touch.
28:35And you had such a nice, I mean, Siddharth.
28:36Even after four to five years, everybody's in touch.
28:38We have a group.
28:39Yeah.
28:40So, our connection, full team connection was very good.
28:42Yeah.
28:43Everybody.
28:44Everybody.
28:45Everybody.
28:46Yeah.
28:47Aditi.
28:48Everybody.
28:49All nice.
28:50Very nice team.
28:51No doubt.
28:52No doubt.
28:53And so, when Khaki came to you, you had no hesitation.
28:54By then, you knew that OTT.
28:55Yeah, yeah, yeah.
28:56And you were okay.
28:57And Khaki, I did something which I have never done.
29:00I have not done this kind of a role in manga.
29:02Politician.
29:03I mean, that kind of a strong, I will not say negative character, very strong.
29:09Negative a little.
29:10Yeah.
29:11A little bit.
29:12But in a very subtle way.
29:14That's what I liked about it.
29:15That power.
29:16I liked that scene where CM was personal.
29:21That was viral.
29:22That's true.
29:24And then, of course, we have seen you in Malik.
29:26Yeah.
29:27You know, Malik is, again, feature film.
29:30Yes, yes, yes.
29:31But you were okay doing that role?
29:33Yeah.
29:34Malik?
29:35I was okay.
29:36The picture wasn't okay.
29:37That's something.
29:38Yeah.
29:39But people are watching now and a lot of people are watching, I think.
29:41On OTT.
29:42Yeah.
29:43People are watching.
29:44Now, people wait, I think.
29:45Yeah.
29:46Yeah.
29:47Now, you know, what do you feel about the fact that now we are all looking at Bengali actors
29:53as part of anything?
29:54Ha, ha, ha.
29:55Abhi, it's not only Bengali.
29:56I think a lot of Malayali.
29:58A lot of…
29:59I think this is a very good time for the next generation to explore.
30:04Because you are Indian actors.
30:05Yes, we are Indian actors.
30:06I always fought for this.
30:07Yes.
30:08This is something you wanted and now it's happening.
30:10Yeah, yeah.
30:11Because we always thought that India produced the largest number of cinema but it's just
30:16not Hindi, right?
30:17Yeah.
30:18It's Punjabi, Marathi, Malayali.
30:20And they do so much of good work.
30:22Marathi cinema I regularly watch.
30:24Yes.
30:25Because they do so much of good work.
30:26Even Malayali, they do.
30:28So, I think in that way it's a good time.
30:31Your talents work.
30:33Cinema has had a limitation.
30:35They have a lot of calculations in this.
30:38If you are a good actor, you get an exposure and you can, you know, move forward.
30:43That's right.
30:44And even for technicians.
30:45There are great technicians coming from different, you know, state now.
30:50Yeah, yeah.
30:51So, it's a great work.
30:52So, any more Hindi work coming up?
30:54Yeah.
30:55I am working out on a love story basically.
31:00Oh, nice.
31:01A mature love story.
31:02Okay.
31:03You can't talk about it.
31:04Yeah.
31:05We will plan to announce it by just maybe after October.
31:09And just one more question.
31:11Devi Chodrayaan.
31:12You are alright about doing a film.
31:15I know you have a good role of the Guruji and all that.
31:19But you are alright about the title role being played by the heroine?
31:24Yeah.
31:25I am absolutely fine.
31:26Because you see, for me, again, if you watch the film Devi Chodrayaan, which is I think
31:32why, number one, why I had to tell yes to this film.
31:37Honestly, very few ask me.
31:39I had done a lot of Tegar's story, which is full of Choker Bali and Nobadovi.
31:44I, in my life's last 40-42 years, I have not got a chance to work, which is written by Brunkim Chandra Chattopan.
31:52We are celebrating Vande Mataram 150th year.
31:56Right.
31:57That one song, you know, I think even crores of younger people have just given their life for our country.
32:06Yes.
32:07That one song.
32:08So, this is an opportunity I didn't want it to miss.
32:11And now, if you say Devi Chodrayaan, if you watch the film, yes, it's Devi Chodrayaan.
32:17I am very proud that maybe two weeks back, our chief minister had been in North Bengal.
32:24Didi was in North Bengal and there's a mandir of Devi Chodrayaan.
32:28So, she had told nothing to get connected with the cinema.
32:32She emotionally told that a lady who fought for this country 250 years back, this temple should be renovated.
32:42So, it became a very big news because Devi Chodrayaan is getting released.
32:45Yeah.
32:46Same way what I thought I should be with this film, No. 1 for Brunkim Chandra Chattopan.
32:52Though the character is Devi Chodrayaan, but our film is on, not only on Devi Chodrayaan.
33:00It's basically, it talks about the history.
33:03Okay.
33:04It talks about the coroner of the British.
33:07Right.
33:08His research, the young director, he got national award for his first film.
33:15He did more of a research and it talks about the entire revolution which was made in 17th century,
33:22which is Bhavani Pathak and Majnu Shah.
33:25One was Sadhu, one was Fakir.
33:28They were both fighting against British.
33:31Right.
33:32And there Bhavani Pathak finds a girl whom he thinks that this girl, because she is from a small town, simple girl,
33:42I can make her the leader because she can reach out to the villagers also.
33:47Right.
33:48Right.
33:49So, the story is of that, of course, and I have no problem because end of the day, when my name comes,
33:55even it is Devi Chodrayaan, people know it's Proshanjit.
33:59Proshanjit.
34:00Yeah.
34:01And Bhavani Pathak is also one of those most strong characters.
34:04Right.
34:05I will tell you Devi Chodrayaan, of course, we know about Jahansi Kirani, but this woman had come to the field to fight
34:13even 78 years earlier than Jahansi Kirani.
34:16Okay.
34:17Jahansi Kirani.
34:18Right.
34:19So, it's a history.
34:20We are, this film is a history.
34:21Historical, commercial film, I will say.
34:22Okay.
34:23We had really tried hard after Chokher Bali, the way we want to promote this film and, you know,
34:29I think even Indian audience will love this film.
34:32Proshanjit, would you do a film like The Bengal Files?
34:37It depends, honestly speaking.
34:39And do you agree that the film should not be shown in Bengal?
34:44I have not seen the film.
34:46I have not watched the film.
34:47There are a lot of controversial things going on.
34:50I have to watch the film and give this comment.
34:53But there are certain reasons, maybe from the trailer, there are a lot of controversy in Bengal.
34:58A lot of controversy.
34:59So, you feel it should not be released in Bengal.
35:02I have to watch it, honestly.
35:03For me to say it.
35:04Then I can comment.
35:05I don't know anything about the film.
35:06My last question, is it true that all these films,
35:09Bengal Files Ho Ya Kajal Ki Ma Ho Ya Kajal's The Trial, which has a lot of Bengali actors in it,
35:18they have all come to you first.
35:20You are the first choice for everybody.
35:22No.
35:23No.
35:24No.
35:25No.
35:26No.
35:27No.
35:28No.
35:29No.
35:30It's not that I have not acted in any political film.
35:34I have acted in a lot of political film.
35:37But no, none of this film has really come to me, just such.
35:42Okay.
35:43Okay.
35:44Because I heard you are the first choice.
35:48And on that note, how do I wish you for…
35:52Sharodiya Shubaccha to you.
35:54Sharodiya Shubaccha.
35:55Sharodiya Shubaccha.
35:56Yeah, Puja is a big thing for us.
35:58Sharodiya Shubaccha to you.
36:00Thank you so much.
36:01And welcome again to Mumbai.
36:02Thank you so much.
36:03Wonderful talk.
36:04Lovely talk.
36:14Bye.
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