
Prosenjit Chatterjee says he, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Ajay Devgn are all ‘producer-friendly' actors: 'We have seen the hard times...'
Bengali cinema icon
Prosenjit Chatterjee
, fondly known as Bumba Da, is bringing his decades of experience to Hindi television as a first-time producer. In an insightful chat with SCREEN, he opened up about balancing creativity and commerce, why he considers himself a 'producer-friendly' actor like
Shah Rukh Khan
,
Salman Khan
, and
Ajay Devgn
, and how a nickname given by fans became his lifelong identity.
Prosenjit shared how the endearing nickname 'Bumba Da' has followed him far beyond West Bengal—even on sets in Mumbai. He revealed that during projects like Jubilee and Khakee, co-stars including
Manoj Bajpayee
and
Rajkummar Rao
naturally took to calling him Bumba Da. Even West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee addresses him as Bumba in official meetings. For Prosenjit, it's not just a nickname—it's a generational bond with his audience.
'I never changed my name,' he reflected, 'my fans and well-wishers made me Bumba Da, and that's a true blessing.'
The actor further reflected on how his four-decade-long acting career has shaped his understanding of the producer's role. He pointed out that when he, along with contemporaries like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Ajay Devgn, began their careers, the film economy was vastly different. Prosenjit emphasized the importance of actors being in tune with the challenges producers face.
He said that understanding both the creative and financial sides of production is key to being a 'producer-friendly' actor—someone who ensures a project's success so producers feel confident backing future films.
He also shared how years of experience have made him deeply attuned to the production side of filmmaking. Known in Kolkata for being a meticulous planner, he revealed that he can break down a script and offer a shooting plan within 24 hours.
Having seen tough times early in his career, he believes in working efficiently without waste. Recalling a proud moment, he spoke about producing a cult show for Star Jalsha directed by the legendary Rituparno Ghosh—something few could have pulled off.
For Prosenjit, every project must offer creative satisfaction above all else.
On a parting note, Prosenjit reaffirmed that acting remains his true calling. While he has ventured into production, he sees himself first and foremost as an actor—something he hopes to continue until his last breath. A passionate student of cinema, he shared that he often works with newcomers, both as an actor and producer, driven by creativity rather than commerce. He admitted that he only feels a sense of purpose once he signs a film—a habit and mindset he has no intention of changing.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Rajkummar Rao And Patralekhaa Announce Pregnancy, Set to Welcome First Child: 'Baby On The Way'
Last Updated: Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa announced on Instagram they are expecting their first child, sharing a pastel-toned post with a floral wreath and cradle, expressing their joy. Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa are all set to embrace a brand-new chapter in their lives — parenthood. The couple took to Instagram to share the heartwarming news that they're expecting their first child together. In a delicate, pastel-toned post featuring a floral wreath and a cradle, the words 'Baby on the way" appear with their names — Patralekhaa & Rajkummar — written underneath. Rajkummar captioned the post simply, 'Elated ❤️❤️", summing up the joy of this special moment. Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa Relationship Their love story is one of Bollywood's most heartfelt romances. The two first met over a decade ago, and their bond has only grown stronger with time. Rajkummar has often said he knew she was the one from the moment he saw her in an ad, and their connection blossomed when they worked together in the film CityLights in 2014. In October 2021, Rajkummar proposed to Patralekhaa in an intimate ceremony, and the two tied the knot a month later on November 15 in Chandigarh. Their wedding was a quiet, beautiful affair attended by close friends and family. Patralekhaa wore a red sari with a Bengali verse embroidered on her veil, while Rajkummar looked elegant in ivory. Praising his wife, Rajkummar Rao spoke about how she never let him feel lonely in Mumbai. In a recent interview, Rajkummar said, 'You can feel very lonely in this city, especially when you come from outside to become an actor. But I was so blessed that I found Patralekhaa at the beginning of my career in 2010 when we met for the first time. And it's been 15 years, 11 years of dating, and 3 years of marriage. She's always kept me grounded and has been my biggest strength." Rajkummar Rao Upcoming Movies Rajkummar Rao is awaiting his film Maalik's release on July 11. Directed by Pulkit, Maalik dives deep into the world of power, politics, and betrayal, all set in the intense landscape of Allahabad. Rajkummar Rao plays a ruthless gangster in what many are calling one of his most powerful roles yet. Manushi Chhillar, meanwhile, brings her own fire to the screen. Patralekhaa was last seen in Phule. First Published: July 09, 2025, 17:12 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Scroll.in
an hour ago
- Scroll.in
‘Mitti' review: Big dreams and ground realities in show about farming
'Modern famine' is a phrase rarely heard in shows on streaming platforms. Amazon MX Player's Mitti might be an inspirational series about a marketing executive who decides to become a farmer. But the Hindi show also smuggles in truths about the problems faced by Indian agriculturists, from debt to unpredictable weather patterns. Raghav (Ishwak Singh) is adept at selling 'Bharat' to urban Indians. But when it's time for an actual return to roots, Raghav finds his presentation skills falling short. Raghav's beloved grandfather Sudarshan (Yogendra Tiku) has accumulated a huge loan on his plot of cultivated land. Memories of happier times spent in the field, the desire to reclaim Sudarshan's honour, and a stubborn need to succeed at farming persuade Raghav to take over Sudarshan's operation. The obstacles include the loan recovery agent Girdhari (Sharat Sonu), who is as nasty as they come. Naysayers scorn Raghav's inexperience. Raghav's girlfriend Stuti (Diksha Juneja) back in the city starts to run out of patience. The weather does its own thing. There are locusts and nilgais to tackle. With the the help of the no-nonsense government official Kritika (Shruti Sharma) and the experience of other farmers, Raghav gains a better understanding of what he needs to do. Kritika's support points to the positive role that committed administrators can play in making farming profitable. The eight-episode show, written by Nikhil Sachan, Akash Chawla and Arunava Joy Sengupta, does a fine job of layering a feel-good premise with ground realities. Especially in the early episodes, Raghav's dilemmas and challenges are within the realm of possibility. In a poignant scene, Raghav's father reminds him of the sacrifices that have been made to ensure a better life beyond the village. Sudarshan too tells Raghav that while ripened fruit gets sent to the city, the tree on which it is grown stays back. Romanticising farming doesn't help Raghav one bit – directors Gangajeet Singh and Alok Kumar Dwivedi ably bring out this truth. Mitti unfolds in unglamorous settings and has welcome detailing about farming culture, from discussions about soil analysis to events where cultivators proudly show off their produce. The show loses some of its rigour in the later episodes, which feel like a PowerPoint presentation by the agriculture ministry. The leap from failure to success via tech hacks seems far too easy. Although the makers succumb to the kind of pep talk given by Raghav in his previous avatar, Mitti distinguishes itself from similarly themed shows simply by picking an unusual theme and following it with curiosity for the most part. Apart from a compelling performance by Ishwak Singh, the show has a fine turn by Alka Amin as Raghav's grandmother. Pranjal Pateriya and Piyush Kumar play Raghav's sidekicks, who are to Mitti what Faisal Malik and Chandan Roy are to Jitendra Kumar in the popular Prime Video series Panchayat. In several ways, Raghav is a foil to Panchayat 's Abhishek, who struggles to fit into a village. Raghav's return journey is more dreamy-eyed, but Mitti manages to make this dream appear within reach. Play


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Janaki V vs State of Kerala': Filmmakers accept CBFC's title change
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) The makers of the Suresh Gopi-starrer 'Janaki vs State of Kerala' have agreed to change the film's title to 'Janaki V vs State of Kerala', following recommendations from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). As reported by On Manorama, the decision comes after a brief legal tussle and public debate regarding the use of the name 'Janaki' (another name of the Hindu goddess Sita). The CBFC had initially insisted on 96 cuts but later withdrew that demand, requesting only two specific edits. The key objection centered on the title character's name, which the Board believed could offend religious sentiments. CBFC counsel Abhinav Chandrachud proposed the title Janaki V, as the protagonist's full name is Janaki Vidhyadharan. The filmmakers agreed, thereby helping the film inch closer to release. Muted dialogue and a changed title: Filmmakers comply In addition to the title revision, the filmmakers will mute the protagonist's full name in a courtroom cross-examination scene where it's uttered twice. These audio changes will be made during two specific timeframes in the film: between 1:06:45 and 1:08:36. As flagged by the CBFC, the scene features a defence lawyer questioning Janaki with lines that suggest drug use, watching pornographic content. The scene also suggests the character having a boyfriend. The Board argued that this depiction could "fundamentally undermine the dignity" of a revered figure and provoke religious unrest. Certification likely within days, case to continue The CBFC has now assured the filmmakers that certification will be issued within three days once the required changes are completed. However, the legal proceedings are still underway. The producers had approached the High Court after the initial denial of certification. Janaki vs State Of Kerala - Official Hindi Teaser What's next for the Suresh Gopi starrer? Justice Nagaresh watched the film in a special screening last week. The matter is scheduled for further hearing next Wednesday. While the compromise on the title marks a significant step forward, the court's final decision remains awaited.