Prosenjit Chatterjee issues clarification after Mumbai press meet controversy

Prosenjit Chatterjee has issued an official statement following backlash over his response to a journalist at the trailer launch of a Hindi action-thriller film in Mumbai on July 1. The incident occurred during a press conference where he shared the stage with co-star Rajkummar Rao and other team members.

During the event, where almost all the conversation was in English, a journalist addressed Prosenjit in Bengali, and proceeded to ask him a question. The actor looked surprised and responded, “Why do you need to talk in Bengali?” However, Rajkummar Rao stepped in, encouraging the journalist to complete her question in Bengali and translating it for all those present on stage. The clip went viral, and many called out Prosenjit on social media, accusing him of belittling his mother tongue.
In his statement, Prosenjit clarified that while he remains deeply proud of his Bengali roots, the context of the event called for English to ensure wider reach. “My connection with my language and my people will never break. For 42 years, I have worked mainly in Bengali cinema and will always remain deeply connected to my language and my people. That will never change,” he said.

For 42 years, I have worked mainly in Bengali cinema and will always remain deeply connected to my language and my people