Latest news with #BumbaDa
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
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's Prosenjit Chatterjee, known as Bumba Da, is entering Hindi television as a producer, drawing on his extensive experience. He emphasizes the importance of actors understanding production challenges, like Shah Rukh Khan, to ensure project success. Prosenjit remains dedicated to acting, viewing it as his primary passion and continuing to work with newcomers driven by creativity. 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.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Prosenjit Chatterjee calls himself, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn ‘producer-friendly actors': ‘We have seen the hard times'
Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee, fondly called Bumba Da by many, has taken on the producer's role for a Hindi show. His maiden production on Star Plus is called Kabhi Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shehad Shehad. In a recent conversation with SCREEN, Prosenjit shared how his experience as an actor has deepened his understanding of a producer's role. He also expressed gratitude for being fondly called 'Bumba Da,' calling it a blessing. Talking about how West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee also refers to him as 'Bumba Da,' Prosenjit shared, 'You see the best part is not just in West Bengal, on all the sets when I was doing Jubilee and Khakee, after a certain time, everybody calls me Bumba Da. Even in Mumbai, Manoj, Rajkummar, they all call me Bumba Da. In West Bengal, nobody calls me Prosenjit, even our honorable Chief Minister, Mamta Banerjee, in official meetings also addresses me as Bumba. That's a blessing for me, I didn't change my name, my audience and fans over three generations made me Bumba Da, and I don't mind.' Also Read: Prosenjit Chatterjee believes Neeraj Pandey's Khakee: The Bengal Chapter will get Bengali cinema global exposure: 'Been fighting for this industry for 35-40 years' During the interview, Prosenjit Chatterjee also talked about how his experience as an actor helped him better understand the nuances of production. Prosenjit said, 'I have been doing this for the last 40 years, so I understand the role of a producer better. When we started our careers, whether in Bangla or Hindi, the economy was not the same. Not just me, but even Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn – when they started entire economy was very different, and as an actor, you need to understand the psyche of the producer. You need to understand the good and bad of the production; otherwise, you are not a producer-friendly actor. We always thought that the producer has to benefit; they should get money, only then will they come to produce the other two films.' 'That is the way we have grown. I completely understand production, and people in Kolkata say that I am the finest planner for shoots. If I hear a script, within 24 hours, I give them a breakdown on what they should do. We have seen the hard times, so we don't waste. I had produced a show for Star Jalsa, and it was directed by Rituporno Ghosh. Nobody else could bring a Rituporno Ghosh to direct a TV show. To date, it's a cult show that happened in Bengal. So, I always try to do something that I like creatively,' he added. On a parting note, Prosenjit Chatterjee said, 'I always say, I am not a producer. I want to remain an actor, I am born to act, and I want to do so till my last breath. As a student of cinema, I have been doing lots of shows and films, mostly with newcomers. That's the way I want to produce. When I act, I try to do so for other producers. It's my psychology that till I don't sign a film, I cannot value myself. That's a habit I don't want to change.' Nawaz Kochra is an enthusiastic entertainment journalistic for the last 9 years, he has been a known face and successfully worked with some big publications. At Nawaz majorly covers TV and OTT and also does video interviews. Having the best conversations with celebrities is what Nawaz loves. ... Read More
