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Prosenjit Chatterjee

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Prosenjit Chatterjee
Born (1962-09-30) 30 September 1962 (age 63)
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Other namesBumba Da,
Jyeshthoputro
(The Eldest Son),
Mr. Industry
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • producer
  • screenwriter
  • singer
  • television personality
Years active1968–present
OrganizationNIdeas Productions
WorksFull list
Spouses
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1994; div. 1995)​
  • Aparna Guhathakurta
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1997; div. 2000)​
  • ​
    (m. 2002)​
Children2
Parents
RelativesPallavi Chatterjee (sister)
AwardsFull list
Honours
Websitewww.prosenjit.in
www.prosenjitblog.in
Signature

Prosenjit Chatterjee (pronounced [prosenˈdʒit tʃæt̪ːarˈdʒi]; born 30 September 1962) is an Indian actor, director, producer, screenwriter, playback singer and television personality who works primarily in Bengali cinema. Referred to in the media as the "Jyeshthoputro" (Bengali for "The Eldest Son") and "Mr. Industry", through his career spanning over four decades, Prosenjit is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. In his cinematic career, he has made over 250 films in Bengali, Hindi and Odia, having numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards, five Filmfare Awards and six BFJA Awards. He was honoured with Mahanayak Samman in 2013, Banga Bibhushan in 2018 and Padma Shri in 2026.

The son of actor Biswajeet Chatterjee, Prosenjit started his career at the age of 5 in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 1968 Bengali film Chotto Jigyasa, which earned him the BFJA Award for Most Outstanding Work of the Year. After playing a few supporting roles, he progressed to lead role in the romantic drama Duti Pata (1983). Despite having widespread recognition for his portrayal of an unemployed man in Tarun Majumdar's Pathbhola (1986), he reached the height of superstardom with the 1987 blockbuster Amar Sangee. Besides starring in top-grossing romantic films including Chhoto Bou (1988), Jyoti (1988), Aamar Tumi (1989), Amar Prem (1989), Apan Amar Apan (1990), Mandira (1990), Mon Mane Na (1992), Biyer Phool (1996) and Mayar Badhon (1997), he had further box-office hits in action films such as Ora Charjon (1988), Asha O Bhalobasha (1989), Badnam (1990), Sangharsha (1995), Bhai Amar Bhai (1997) and Ranokhetro (1998). He made his directorial debut with Purushottam (1992), which inaugurated the Best Asian Film Award at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, South Korea. His next Sasurbari Zindabad (2000) became the first Bengali film to have CinemaScope technology, while his portrayal of a volatile police officer in Pratibad (2001) was selected by Forbes India as one of the 25 greatest acting performances of Indian cinema. During this period, Prosenjit gained critical acclaim for his performances as an alcoholic in Devdas (2002), a medical practitioner in Chokher Bali (2003), a disabled person in Dosar (2006), a surveillance specialist in Ami, Yasin Ar Amar Madhubala (2007), a film director in Khela (2008), a film screener in Swapner Din (2008), a thespian poet in Shob Charitro Kalponik (2009), showcasing his versatility as an actor who excelled in both commercially and critically acclaimed films. Notably Dosar earned him National Award in the Special Mention category.

In 2010, Prosenjit transitioned to parallel cinema through Srijit Mukherji's Autograph, for which he was nominated at MIAAC Film Festival, under the Best Actor category. His another author-backed performance came in Moner Manush (2010), the biopic of Lalon, a noted spiritual leader, poet and folk singer of the 19th century Bengal. He got wider appeal for his roles of a troubled father in the sports drama Cholo Paltai (2011), a retired police officer in the psychological thriller Baishe Srabon (2011), a doctor in the political thriller Shanghai (2012), a football coach in the sports drama Lorai (2015), a gangster in the crime drama Zulfiqar (2016), a scientist in the action thriller One (2017), a serial killing specialist in Dawshom Awbotaar (2023), and a businessman in the thriller Ajogyo (2024), and went to earn further recognition in the psychological drama Jaatishwar (2014), erotic thriller Khawto (2015), the romantic drama Praktan (2016), the drama Shankhachil (2016), the National Award-winning dramas Mayurakshi (2017) and Jyeshthoputro (2019), the historical courtroom film Gumnaami (2019), the drama Nirontor (2019), the dark-comedy Kacher Manush (2022), the romantic thriller Kaberi Antardhan (2023), the drama Shesh Pata (2023), the historical actioner Devi Chowdhurani (2025), with expansion to action-adventures in Mishawr Rawhoshyo (2013), Yeti Obhijaan (2017), Kakababur Protyaborton (2021) and Vijaynagar'er Hirey (2026), each ranking among the highest-grossing Bengali films.

Personal life

[edit]

Prosenjit lives in Kolkata with his wife, actress Arpita Pal, and their son Trishanjit.[1]

He was previously married to Debashree Roy and Aparna Guha Thakurta.[2][3][4][5] Prosenjit and Aparna have a daughter together, Prerona Chatterjee.[6][7] In 2015, Prosenjit bought the Bengal Celebrity League cricket team Purulia Panthers.[8][9][10]

Acting career

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Beginning as a child artist (1968–1969)

[edit]

When Hrishikesh Mukherjee was working on the script of Chotto Jigyasa (1968), collaborating with Biswajeet Chatterjee for the third time, he was apparently impressed by Prosenjit and cast him in the central character of the film.[11] In the film, he played a child who initially struggles to cope with his mother's absence, becoming withdrawn and isolated.[12] Prosenjit won the Most Outstanding Work of the Year Award at the 28th BFJA Awards, for his performance in the film at age six.[13][14]

Chatterjee had a successful on-screen collaboration with Satabdi Roy.

Chotto Jigyasa's success led Prosenjit to appear as a child artist in two of his father's films: the first was the Hindi film Rahgir,[15] directed by Tarun Majumdar, and the second was the action thriller Rakta Tilak (1974), which marked his father's directorial debut.[16] In the meanwhile, he continued his education, taking a break from acting.[17]

Theatre acting and early years in films (1979–1986)

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In 1979, after completing the graduation, he joined Nandikar, one of Bengal's earliest theatre groups, where he used to act for a fee of ₹250.[18] His time with the theatre company shaped Prosenjit's craft and ignited his interest in direction,[19][15] where Rudraprasad Sengupta had served as his mentor.[20][19] By this time, his performance was observed by Uttam Kumar, who approached him to star in his home-production Dui Prithibi (1980).[21] In the film, he played the younger version of Kumar's character, and also served as the assistant under director Pijush Basu's supervision.[22]

Prosenjit's breakthrough role came opposite Vijeta Pandit in Amar Sangi (1987), a highly successful romantic drama directed by Sujit Guha. He made his debut in Hindi cinema with David Dhawan directed Aandhiyan (1990). Apart from appearing in a series of masala films, he started doing middle-of-the-road cinema with Chokher Bali which starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in her debut Bengali film and which met with critical and commercial success upon release.[23] He again came back in doing commercial films and in 2006, he again collaborated with Rituparno Ghosh for Dosar and received the Best Actor Award and National Film Award - Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) for his performance in the film.[24][25]

In 2009, Prosenjit did once again collaborate with Ghosh for Shob Charitro Kalponik, which starred Bipasha Basu in her Bengali debut, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali. In 2010, Prosenjit got another breakthrough by portraying the lead character of Arun Chatterjee in debutant Srijit Mukherji's Autograph,[26] for which he was nominated at MIAAC (Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council) film festival, under the Best Actor category. He portrayed the role of Lalon, a noted spiritual leader, poet and folk singer of Bengal in the 19th century in Goutam Ghose directorial Moner Manush and Anthony Firingee in the National Film Awards winning film, Jaatishwar. He went to earn further recognition and wider appeal for his roles in the romantic thriller Khawto, the drama Praktan, the thriller Traffic, the drama Shankhachil, the crime film Zulfiqar, the National Film Award winning dramas Mayurakshi and Jyeshthoputro, the historical courtroom film Gumnaami, the drama Nirontor, the dark-comedy Kacher Manush, the thriller Kaberi Antardhan and have committed to star in the Hindi films 3 Dev, alongside Kay Kay Menon, Raima Sen, Karan Singh Grover and Tabeer alongside Neeraj Kabi.[27]

Chatterjee produced the Ghosh scripted the television series Gaaner Oparey, which launched the careers of brothers Arjun Chakraborty and Gaurav Chakraborty and Mimi Chakraborty as well.[28] In 2016, he debuted on the non-fiction category of television with a 97-episode mini-series, titled Mahanayak. Produced by Shree Venkatesh Films and directed by Birsa Dasgupta, the show starred Paoli Dam, Tanushree Chakraborty and Priyanka Sarkar in other pivotal roles and was based on the life of a superstar of the 60s era — a life fraught with career highs and personal turbulences.[29][30][31][32]

He made his debut as a protagonist with Bimal Roy's Duti Pata (1983), a teenage romance along the lines of Bobby. Amar Sangi (1987) opposite Vijayeta Pandit, Apon Amaar Apon (1990) directed by Tarun Majumdar and Buddhadeb Dasgupta's Ami, Yasin Ar Amar Madhubala (2007) are three important films of his career. The song "Chirodini Tumi Je Amar" from Amar Sangi became a cult hit. Satabdi Roy has acted with him in more than 50 films. He has done 35 films with Rachana Banerjee, 50 with Rituparna Sengupta, around 16 with Indrani Haldar and four with his wife Arpita Pal. Prosenjit debuted in Bollywood in 1990 with the David Dhawan directed Aandhiyan where he played the role of Mumtaz's son. After working in commercial films, Chatterjee started debuted in Parallel Cinema with Rituparno Ghosh's Chokher Bali (film) and since then have appeared in numerous art films, including Dosar, Jaatishwar, Shankhachil, Shob Charitro Kalponik. Chatterjee returned to Hindi cinema by playing the role of lead protagonist in Mehul Kumar directed Meet Mere Man Ke (1991) alongside Ayesha Jhulka, Feroz Khan and Salma Agha. His other Bollywood films are Sone Ki Zanjeer, Veerta, Shanghai and more recently Traffic which received critical acclaim upon release.[33] One of the most important works of Prosenjit is as Arun Chatterjee in Srijit Mukherji's Autograph. His first ever produced film Bapi Bari Jaa[34][35] was released on 7 December 2012.

Awards and honours

[edit]

Awards won by Prosenjit Chatterjee[36]
Year Award name Category Movie
1969 BFJA Award Most Outstanding Work of the Year Award Chotto Jigyasa
1993 Kalakar Awards Best Upcoming Director Purushottam
1999 BFJA Award Best Actor Tumi Ele Tai
1999 Anandalok Awards Best Actor Ranokhetro[37]
2000 BFJA Award Best Actor Aashroy
2001 BFJA Award Best Actor Utsav
2003 BFJA Award Best Actor Chokher Bali
2006 BFJA Award Best Actor Dosar
2006 Anandalok Awards Best Actor Dosar
2007 National Film Award – Special Mention (Feature Film) Best Actor Dosar[38]
2011 Zee Banglar Gourab Samman Awards Best Actor Autograph
2011 Anandalok Awards Best Actor Moner Manush
2012 Zee Banglar Gourab Samman Awards Best Actor (Jury) Baishe Srabon
2012 IBFCA Awards Best Actor Baishe Srabon
2013 Stardust Awards Best Supporting Actor Shanghai (2012 film)
2013 Mirchi Music Awards Bangla Surochitrak Prosenjit
2013 Mohanayak Somman by Government of West Bengal Mohanayak Somman
2014 Filmfare Awards East Special Award
2016 Zee Cine Awards Best Actor Lorai: Play to Live
2016 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali Best Bengali Film Shankhachil
2017 Zee Cine Awards Best Actor Shankhachil
2017 WBFJA Award Best Actor in a Leading Role Khawto
2017 Filmfare Awards East Best Actor Shankhachil[39]
2018 Zee Cine Awards Best Actor Yeti Obhijaan
2018 WBFJA Award Best Actor in a Leading Role Mayurakshi
2018 Filmfare Awards East Best Actor Mayurakshi
2018 Tele Cine Awards Best Actor Mayurakshi
2018 Zee Cine Awards Best Actor Yeti Obhijaan
2018 Banga Bibhushan by Government of West Bengal[40]
2019 WBFJA Award Most Popular Actor Kishore Kumar Junior
2021 Filmfare Awards Bangla Best Actor Gumnaami
2023 Filmfare Awards Bangla Best Actor Shesh Pata
2023 WBFJA Award Best Actor Shesh Pata
2026 Padma Shri

Filmography

[edit]
Main article: Prosenjit Chatterjee filmography

Television

[edit]
Year Title Channel
2010–2011 Gaaner Oparey Star Jalsha
2011–2012 Kanakanjali Zee Bangla
2014 Tumi Je Aamar[41][42]
2016 Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Star Jalsha
2018–2019 Shubho Drishti Colors Bangla
2019 Aloukik Na Loukik Star Jalsha
2023–2024 Alor Kole Zee Bangla
2024–2025 Amar Sangee
2024–2025 Mittir Bari
2025–present Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad[43] StarPlus
Sriman Bhogoban Das Zee Bangla Sonar

Reality Shows

1.Banglar Shera Paribar

2. Ke Hobe Banglar Kotipoti

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "prosenjit chatterjee". Calcuttaweb. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  2. ^ আনন্দবাজার – আনন্দ plus – কমেলশ্বেরর মহাভারত ভীষ্ম প্রসেনিজৎ (in Bengali). Anandabazar. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  3. ^ আনন্দবাজার – আনন্দ plus – বিপরীতমুখী (in Bengali). Anandabazar. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  4. ^ আনন্দবাজার – আনন্দ plus – বারো বছর বাদে (in Bengali). Anandabazar. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Prosenjit as Bhupen Hazarika in biopic by Kalpana Lajmi –". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  6. ^ "Prosenjit The Fighter | Published by The Telegraph". Archived from the original on 23 October 2015.
  7. ^ "Is Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee's Daughter Prerona Chatterjee Interested in Acting dgtl". www.anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Bengal Celebrity League to start December 26". Business Standard. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  9. ^ "Tollywood all set to kick off Bengal Celebrity League". The Economic Times. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  10. ^ "Tolly stars launch BCL logo, team jerseys". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  11. ^ "Prosenjit shares a throwback picture from the sets of 'Chhotto Jigyasha'". The Times of India. 15 November 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Prosenjit Chatterjee's throwback picture will surely win your hearts". The Times of India. 11 March 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 26 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  13. ^ "With father Biswajit in 'Chotto Jigyasa' - Prosenjit Chatterjee: Rare childhood pictures of the Bengali superstar you shouldn't miss". The Times of India. 29 October 2018. Archived from the original on 27 January 2026. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  14. ^ Sen, Zinia (22 March 2018). "Did you know Prosenjit Chatterjee started out as a child artiste in Chhotto Jigyasha?". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 27 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  15. ^ a b "Unveiling the Versatile Persona of Prosenjit Chatterjee: Actor, Producer, and UNICEF Advocate". Elgin. Archived from the original on 27 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  16. ^ "Prosenjit Chatterjee: Interesting facts about the Tollywood superstar". The Times of India. 29 August 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 27 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  17. ^ "54 fun facts about Prosenjit Chatterjee as he turns 54". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  18. ^ "My Fundays". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  19. ^ a b "Audience interest in Bengali stage is returning: Prosenjit | Indiablooms - First Portal on Digital News Management". India Blooms. 28 July 2015. Archived from the original on 27 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  20. ^ Sen, Zinia (7 June 2018). "I am hoping something will be done in Kolkata to restore old theatres: Prosenjit". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  21. ^ Jha, Subhash K. (3 September 2025). "Prosenjit Chatterjee on his idol Uttam Kumar on his 99th birth anniversary". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 27 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  22. ^ "'উত্তমজেঠুর মতো কেউ আগামী ১৩৭ বছরেও আসবে না'". Sangbad Pratidin (in Bengali). 11 July 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2026. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)
  23. ^ "'Chokher Bali' is a hit | Chokher Bali (2003) | Latest Movie News". Bollywood Hungama. 11 October 2003. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  24. ^ "Prosenjit Chatterjee: Still evergreen". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  25. ^ "The real-life incident behind 'Jyeshthoputro's story". The Times of India. 18 April 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 26 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  26. ^ Kanji, Subhasmita (15 January 2026). "'জ্যেষ্ঠ পুত্র বল, ইন্ডাস্ট্রি বল, আমি হাত জোড় করে বলছি...', কী বললেন প্রসেনজিৎ চট্টোপাধ্যায়?". Aajkaal (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 27 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  27. ^ "Prosenjit, Raima to star in bolly flick 3 Dev". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  28. ^ "Rituparno and Prosenjit kiss and makeup". The Times of India.
  29. ^ "My character in Mahanayak bears traces of Uttam: Prosenjit". Business Standard. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  30. ^ "First look of 'Mahanayak'". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  31. ^ "From Hosting KBC Bangla To Playing Mahanayak: Times When Prosenjit Chatterjee Mesmerised TV Audience With His Charisma". Times Of India.
  32. ^ "Prosenjit Chatterjee: Once a CHOCOLATE BOY, now an ACTING PHENOMENON". Times Of India.
  33. ^ "Divya will be seen as the wife of a superstar-played by Prosenjit Chatterjee inTraffic". Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  34. ^ "The Telegraph – Calcutta (Kolkata) – Entertainment – Producer Prosenjit celebrates his television outing. more applause for Goutam Ghose's Moner Manush". Telegraphs. Archived from the original on 9 January 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  35. ^ "Kolkata applauds Bapi Bari Jaa's first look". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  36. ^ "List of Awards". Prosenjit Chatterjee. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2016.[self-published source]
  37. ^ "Ranakshetra (1998) Awards | Award Winners Of Ranakshetra Bengali Movie". gomolo.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  38. ^ "Public Screening of India Panorama 2013 Films in New Delhi 10th −18th February, 2014". Dff.nic.in. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  39. ^ "Prosenjit gets best actor award in Jio Filmfare Awards East". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  40. ^ "'বঙ্গবিভূষণ' পুরস্কার পেলেন আশা ভোঁসলে, সমরেশ, প্রসেনজিৎ" [Banga Bibhushan for Asha Bhosle, Samaresh, Prasenjit and others]. jagonews24.com (in Bengali). 22 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  41. ^ "Tumi Je Amar: Zee Bangla Show- Watch Tumi Je Amar TV Serial Episodes and Videos Online at zeebangla.com". zee bangla. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  42. ^ "Bengali Wedding Reality Show Tumi Je Amar on Zee Bangla with Prasenjit Chatterjee Starts Today". sholoanabangaliana. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  43. ^ Sehgal, Chirag (23 April 2025). "Bengali Superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee Turns Producer, Backs Abrar Qazi's THIS Show". News18. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
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