Bengali cinema, the industry known for presenting redefining films and characters, recently witnessed a powerful performance by Prosenjit Chatterjee in the women-led film Devi Chowdhurani. Making a strong statement, he said, “Even if it’s Devi Chowdhurani, people know it’s Prosenjit.” The actor also opened up about his close bond with his Jubilee co-stars and crew while also sharing insights on his roles in Khakee, Maalik and more. Watch this exclusive interview as the versatile Bengali star reflects on his remarkable journey in Bengali & Bollywood cinema, only on Lehren.
00:16Devi Chaudrayan, you are alright about doing a film, I know you have a good role of the Guruji and all that, but you are alright about the title role being played by the heroine?
00:41Yeah, I am absolutely fine, because you see, for me again, if you watch the film Devi Chaudrayani, which is I think, why, number one, why I had to tell yes to this film, honestly very few ask me, I had done a lot of Tegar's story, which is full of Chokir Bali and Nobadovi, I in my life's last 40-42 years, I have not got a chance to work, which is written by Brunkim Chandra Chattopan.
01:10We are celebrating Vande Mataram 150th year.
01:13Right.
01:14That one song, I think even crores of younger people have just given their life for our country.
01:23Yes.
01:24That one song.
01:25So, this is an opportunity I didn't want it to miss.
01:29And now, if you say Devi Chaudrayani, if you watch the film, yes, it's Devi Chaudrayani, I am very proud that maybe two weeks back our Chief Minister had been in North Bengal, Didi was in North Bengal and there is a mandir of Devi Chaudrayani.
01:46So, she had told nothing to get connected with the cinema.
01:49She emotionally told that a lady who fought for this country 250 years back, this temple should be renovated.
02:00So, it became a very big news because Devi Chaudrayani is getting released.
02:03Same way what I thought I should be with this film, number one way for Brunkim Chandra Chattopan, though the character is Devi Chaudrayani, but our film is on, not only on Devi Chaudrayani, it's basically, it talks about the history.
02:20Okay.
02:21It talks about the coroner of the British.
02:24Right.
02:25His research, the young director, he got a national award for his first film, he did more of a research and it talks about the entire revolution which was made in 17th century, which is Bhavani Paathak and Majanur Shah.
02:43One was Sadhu, one was Fakir.
02:46They were both fighting against British.
02:48Right.
02:49And there Bhavani Paathak finds a girl whom he thinks that this girl, because she's from a small town, simple girl, I can make her the leader because she can reach out to the villagers also.
03:04Right.
03:05Right.
03:05So, the story is of that, of course, and I have no problem because end of the day, when my name comes, even it is Devi Chaudrayani, people know it's Proshanjit.
03:16Proshanjit, yeah.
03:17And Bhavani Paathak is also one of those most strong characters.
03:21Right.
03:22I will tell you Devi Chaudrayani, of course, we know about Jhansi Kirani, but this woman had come to the field to fight even 78 years earlier than Jhansi Kirani.
03:33Jhansi Kirani.
03:34Right.
03:34So, it's a history.
03:35We are, this film is a history.
03:37Historical, commercial film, I will say.
03:40Okay.
03:40And we had really tried hard after Chokir Bali, the way we want to promote this film and, you know, I think even Indian audience will love this film.
03:49Proshanjit, would you do a film like The Bengal Files?
03:55It depends, honestly speaking.
03:56Do you agree that the film should not be shown in Bengal?
04:00I have not seen the film, I have not watched the film, there are a lot of controversial things going on.
04:07I have to watch the film and give this comment, but there are certain reasons, maybe from the trailer, there are a lot of controversy in Bengal, a lot of controversy.
04:17So, you feel it should not be released in Bengal?
04:19I have to watch it, honestly.
04:21For me to say it.
04:22Then I can comment, I don't know anything about the film.
04:24My last question, is it true that all these films, Bengal Files Ho Ya Kajal Ki Ma Ho Ya Kajal's The Trial, which has a lot of Bengali actors in it,
04:35that they have all come to you first, you are the first choice for everybody?
04:42No.
04:42No?
04:43No, no, no.
04:43Okay.
04:44No.
04:45No, it's not that I have not acted in any political film, I have acted in a lot of political film, but no, none of this film has really come to me, just as such.
04:59Okay, okay.
05:01Because I heard you are the first choice.
05:05So, Jubilee was a very good experience.
05:07It was exceptional.
05:09And the team, we are still in touch.
05:10And you had such a nice, I mean, Siddharth.
05:12Even after four to five years, everybody is in touch.
05:14We have a group.
05:15Yeah.
05:15So, our connection, full team connection was very good.
05:18Yeah.
05:19Apar Shakti.
05:20Everybody.
05:21Everybody.
05:22Yeah.
05:23Aditi.
05:24Everybody.
05:25All nice.
05:26And so, when Khaki came to you, you had no hesitation.
05:29By then, you knew that OTT, I will do it.
05:31Yeah, yeah, yeah.
05:32Yeah?
05:33And you were okay.
05:34And Khaki, I did something which I have never done.
05:36I have not done this kind of a role in manga.
05:38Politician.
05:39I mean, that kind of a strong, I will not say negative character, very strong antagonist.
05:46Negative a little.
05:47Yeah.
05:47A little bit.
05:48But in a very subtle way.
05:50That's what I liked about it.
05:52That power.
05:53I liked that scene where CM got personal.
05:57That became viral.
05:59That's true.
06:00And then, of course, we have seen you in Malik.
06:02Yeah.
06:03You know, Malik is, again, feature film.
06:07Yes, yes, yes.
06:08But you were okay doing that role?
06:10Yeah.
06:11Malik?
06:12I was okay.
06:13That's something.
06:14Yeah.
06:15But people are watching now and a lot of people are watching, I think.
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