I don't live life like a star: Prosenjit Chatterjee

Can mirrors ' or your eyes ' ever lie? One look at Prosenjit Chatterjee and you'd probably say, yes they can. Age, for him, is just a number. He's the man of the moment. Over 30 years in the industry, a packed schedule for the year ahead, challenging roles... when does he destress? 'Sheta ar hoy kothay?' he laughed.
But there are exceptions ' like birthdays. A day before the big day (September 30), Team TOI invited Prosenjit to drop into the office for some cha and chit-chat.There was a lot to talk about ' from films, family and birthday celebrations to stardom. And yes, we got him to cut a cake too! 'Prochur paap kore felchhi,' he smiled, taking a bite. Excerpts:
So many milestones over a long career. Are birthdays a milestone too? Oh yes, since you mature with each passing year! One can't stop the watch, so you might as well make the most of it. And at this point of time, I'm enjoying my life to the fullest. People tell me that I still look 35 but I know that I can't do a film like Amar Sangi now ' neither do I want to. There were times when 22 of my films would release in a year. Again, some years just two-three films hit the theatres, but they were all remarkable. Life is like a circle and you have to know when to move on. Success and failure are a part and parcel of it.
What do you miss the most on this day?
Ma ke khub miss kori. I wish she was here today. I want to start something in her name, may be an old-age home. My mamima, pishi, kakima still try to fill the place she has in my heart. On my birthday, all of them want me to eat dishes they've cooked and I try to make them happy since their love is unconditional. That's a rare thing, since 99% of the people I know are looking to gain something from me. My brand value and position means a lot to them. So, I really miss unconditional love.
Any specials plans for this birthday? I will shooting for Hanuman.com. All day I'll be replying to birthday wishes from thousands of people. In fact, my phone has been flooded with texts since yesterday. I can't say no to anyone as the industry, my well-wishers and my family are all sensitive about me and I respect that. Trishanjit (my son) is quite excited. He saw me cutting a three-tier cake for a television channel and he's been constantly asking me, 'Baba, amar jonmodin e three-tier cake hobe toh?' Last year he made a card for me and this year too I saw him making one.
You have reached a position where no actor can give you competition... (Laughs) Prabir is Arun Chatterjee's competitor. Bumba holo Bumba r competition! But can I act like Naseeruddin Shah or Soumitra Chatterjee? Is stardom baggage for Prosenjit? Yes, stardom is baggage and I don't look at things from a helicopter. Ask anyone in the industry if Bumbada is accessible. A technical hand can call me at 2 am and I will be there to help him. I can't walk around Gariahat, but I don't live life like a star. Bank er chakrir moto amader tao chakri! At the same time, I believe that an actor can't disclose everything about him to the world. There should be some mystery. Look at Dilip Kumar, Suchitra Sen, Uttam Kumar ' people still want to know about their life and that's what make them stars. Manush ta real na unreal ' this dilemma has to be there in the audience's mind about a star.
Your diary is booked for the next two years... (Laughs) Kothay kaaj, kono kaaj nei amar! I'll be leaving for Newcastle in the first week of November to shoot for Porichoy, which sees Basu Chatterjee's daughter Rupali Guha debut as director. The film is about a father-daughter relationship. I play an NRI. Ferdous is part of the film too. We are still figuring out who'll play my daughter. After that I have Shoojit Sircar's Madras Cafe (the changed title of Jaffna) but we're still working the dates out. John (Abraham, who also stars in it) is trying hard.
The story goes that you had sleepless nights trying to figure out who'll play your wife in Hanuman.com? Oh yes! See, there are many actors around but I wanted somebody who's simple and has the body language to play the wife of a simple schoolteacher from Malda. After lot of thought, we decided to cast Mousumi, (actor) Jack's wife.
First you patch up with Srijit Mukherji; then you do a photoshoot with Rituparna Sengupta... Is Prosenjit ready to forgive everyone now? I am no one to forgive anyone! Aageo toh korechhi photoshoot with Rituparna (smiles). See, in most cases, my anger dissipates with time. In the past, Debashree Roy, Rituparna have all said that they don't want to work with me, but I've never said so. I am ready to act with anyone and everyone. I've always maintained that Chumki (Debashree) is one of the finest actors of her time. Cinema is a temple and who am I to say which person deserves entry? As a senior co-actor I congratulated Ritu for Mukhtodhara but it was she who had said that Autograph and Baishe Srabon were over-hyped films. Such statements can hurt.