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.
