It can get rather tricky to introduce someone as exposed, popular and talked-about as Prosenjit Chatterjee. The fact that he has been reigning over Tollywood for nearly 34 years is proof of his undiminishing popularity. Churning out hits year after year, adapting and keeping himself relevant to the demands of new-age cinema, Chatterjee has managed to be in top form — despite crossing over to the latter half of his 50s — by constantly reinventing himself. Last year, the veteran actor of over 300 films donned the cap of a producer assertively, introducing a bunch of new filmmakers and actors to audiences. This year will begin for Chatterjee, the actor, with Kaushik Ganguly’s Jyeshthoputro, which releases today. We sat down with the king of Tollywood, as he looked young as ever in an ankle-length skinny pair of dark blue denim and a maroon tee, for a no-holds-barred chat over a cuppa, at his residence on a humid evening. Excerpts from the conversation:
The late filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh conceptualised Jyeshthoputro. Tell us how it developed?
Rituparno thought of this plot when my mother passed away. He was there with me throughout. He keenly observed how even during such a moment of great personal loss, my family and I had to keep a brave public front, and manage everything, and in the process didn’t even get the space to mourn... Besides grieving, a public figure or a star actor has to also take into account many factors, including what kind of clothes to wear to the funeral, since you are always noticed. That’s the price you pay for being a star. The plot of the movie too revolves around such a huge star, and Rituparno wrote it with me in mind. It’s just that the star in this film hails from a small town. But by that time, I had already said yes to Srijit Mukherji’s first film, Autograph, which was also about a star actor, and I didn’t want to do a similar role back-to-back. Hence, I requested Ritu da to hold it for some time. But Rituparno passed away before he could give shape to the concept. Many years later, when Kaushik Ganguly approached his brother Indranil Ghosh for it, he happily gave us the rights, and finally, Jyesthoputro happened.
Have you paid a price to gain stardom? Is there anything you regret, or that you would trade it all for?
Of course, I have paid a huge price to be a star. Always remember that those you see amidst a crowd are the most lonely souls. The lawn of my bungalow is my only comfort zone, where I take walks and spend time with myself. There are friends, but no one can understand the real me... it’s not their fault either. The real Bumba (his nickname) is a difficult man to be understood. You know only 70 per cent of him, and the remaining 30 remains an enigma, sometimes even to me. I still search for the little Bumba from Chotto Jigyasha (his first movie as a child actor, when he was all of four or five years) and try to bring him back by being childlike at times. That’s my sole escape to innocence. But stardom is all I have, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Do you think if I don’t have stardom, even my family members would like it? They would still love me, but I am sure they will be a bit disappointed.
You got to work with Ritwik Chakraborty for the first time in this movie. How was it?
He is a very powerful actor, and I’ve been a fan of his for the past eight to nine years now. I am thankful to Kaushik for creating an opportunity for us to work together. Ritwik has been doing different films since the beginning of his career, but I had done a lot of mainstream commercials too, besides working with stalwarts like Rituparno, Goutam Ghose, and others. So, I have to break my mould, and come out of the star mode. Besides Ritwik, the film also has another talented actor, Sudiptaa Chakraborty. And, mind you, it’s not easy to face the bouncers from them. But I faced them armed with experience, just as Dhoni is battling it out in the IPL (laughs).
How are you preparing for the title role in Srijit Mukherji’s upcoming movie, Gumnaami?
The first stage of the make-up test is over, and there will be a lot of prosthetic make-up in the movie. Also, I am putting on a lot of weight and training with weights for two hours every day. To build on the much-controversial character, I’m also reading up on a lot of stuff about him, and discussing with Srijit. Author Anuj Dhar, who has extensively researched Subhash Chandra Bose, is also helping me out with his notes.
Apart from Srijit Mukherji’s Gumnaami Baba and Kakababu series, what other projects will you be a part of?
There is a very interesting movie by filmmaker Atanu Ghosh (of Mayurakhi fame), where I will be portraying a very different role. His movies are always different and interesting, and he believes in making fantastic cinema. Also, there is another untitled movie with Goutam Ghose and Churni Ganguly too had a very good idea, but only she knows when she will lay her hands on that film. Besides this, I will also be playing a maverick life coach named Bijoy Dutta, in a movie based on veteran sports journalist Goutam Bhattacharya’s bestseller Bengali cricket fiction, Wiki. I will also be seen in an interesting ad for a jewellery brand with my wife, Arpita, directed by Kaushik Ganguly.
Your production house NIdeas has been aggressively promoting movies by new directors, and Uronchondi and Mahalaya have both gained good feedback. What else is on the anvil?
We have completed another very good film by Chandrashish Ray, and I will be sending the film to the Toronto Film Festival. It’s a unique plot about the journey of two men, but the movie has no story in the strict sense. The execution is brilliant, and you’ve got to see it to believe it. I’ve always been a champion of content, and will continue to further the cause. Among the new crop of directors, I like the works of Soukarya Ghosal. Indrashis Acharya and even Arjunn Dutta.
Any plans to produce or act in web series?
We will be doing a lot of Bengali and Hindi content for the web, and talks are on with platforms like Zee5, Amazon Prime and Voot. Our strength lies in a vast repository of Bengali literature, and we can go far with it. As for me, I had to turn down an offer for a national web series, since I couldn’t give them eight months at a stretch, but I am flooded with offers, and I will definitely explore the web as a platform, with the right offer.
You will also be chairing the Kolkata International Film Festival again this year. What are your plans?
We want to really make it a serious cinema affair this year, and for that, I have requested filmmakers Goutam Ghose and Sandip Ray to help me get the best cinema across the globe. They are also very excited to a part of the affair.
Every other Tolly celebrity is now joining politics. What has kept you away?
That’s not my world. Can you be an actor like me? Can I write the way you write? I know only acting and I am still learning the craft. As someone who’s always surrounded by a team of people guarding me, how can I understand what a common man goes through, by just going to a village once? How do I know what it feels like not to get something as fundamental as drinking water? What I can best do is entertain them as an actor, until my last day.
Fuel & fitness
I usually follow a strict diet regimen that’s mostly heavier on the side of proteins. But right now, I have increased my intake of carbs, with the consultation of my dietician, since I need to put on a few kilos for Gumnaami Baba and Kakababu. With that, I have also increased my hours of workouts, since it’s best to gain weight by building muscles. I usually work out for two hours in the gym, and I do a fair mix of weights and cardio. During the summer, I ensure that I have a lot of water and juices to keep me hydrated. Singaras (Bengali-style samosas) and hilsa are my weaknesses, and so is the narkel nadu, especially during Lakshmi Puja, though I try to restrain myself and keep away from temptations as much as possible.
sharmishtha.g@new indianexpress.com @sharmidas