Prosenjit Chatterjee Honored with Prestigious Padma Shri Award
Veteran Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee has been conferred with the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors. This recognition marks a significant national milestone in his illustrious career, which spans over four decades in the film industry. The news reached the celebrated actor while he was watching his latest Bengali film at a cinema hall in Kolkata.
Emotional Dedication to Mother and Late Mentor
Upon receiving the honor, Prosenjit Chatterjee shared heartfelt sentiments with PTI. "First of all, I want to dedicate this to my mother. Everything I have achieved in my life, every struggle I have fought through, has been possible because of her strength," the 63-year-old actor expressed emotionally.
He continued, "Then, there is my friend, who is no longer with us. I believe that the second journey I began in my life, as an actor, had its roots in him. He was the one who saw a hidden actor inside me and encouraged me to take that step." The actor was referring to the late National Award-winning director Rituparno Ghosh, who played a pivotal role in shaping the second phase of his career.
The Rituparno Ghosh Connection
Prosenjit Chatterjee, who had been a beloved people's star throughout his career, experienced what he calls his 'second innings' through collaborations with Rituparno Ghosh. Their partnership resulted in critically-acclaimed films that redefined Bengali cinema:
- Utsab
- Chokher Bali
- Dosar
The maverick director, who passed away in 2013, left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. "I miss him deeply today. He was not just a friend but also a guru to us. If he were alive today, I would probably be giving this interview sitting at his home," said Prosenjit, who is the son of veteran Bollywood actor Biswajit.
Bengali Actors in the Padma Awards Legacy
Prosenjit Chatterjee joins an esteemed list of Bengali actors who have been honored with Padma awards over the decades. This recognition highlights the significant contribution of Bengali artists to Indian cinema and culture.
Padma Bhushan Awardees
Several distinguished Bengali actors have received the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award:
- Soumitra Chatterjee (2004)
- Victor Banerjee (2022)
- Mithun Chakraborty (2024)
Sharmila Tagore, who began her career with Satyajit Ray's Apur Sansar and became a legend of Indian cinema, received the Padma Bhushan in 2013.
Padma Shri Honorees Through the Decades
The Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, has been bestowed upon numerous Bengali actors since its inception:
- Kanan Devi (1968) - Often called the 'first lady of Bengali cinema'
- Devika Rani (1958) - Known for the first kiss in Bollywood in her debut film Karma (1933)
- Ashok Kumar (1962) - Popularly known as Dadamoni
- Sombhu Mitra and Tripti Mitra (1966 and 1962 respectively) - The real-life couple renowned for their theater contributions
- Aparna Sen (1987) - Award-winning director and actress
- Jaya Bachchan (1992) - Recently seen in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
- Utpal Dutt (1992) - Legendary actor who worked extensively in Hindi and Bengali films
- Supriya Devi (2014) - Known for working with Dharmendra in Aap Ki Parchhaiyan
- Sabitri Chatterjee (2014) - Veteran Bengali actress
- Rakhee Gulzar (2003) - National Award winner for Rituparno Ghosh's Shubho Mahurat
- Mamata Shankar (2025) - Worked with iconic directors including Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen
Notable Omissions
Interestingly, some prominent Bengali actors have not yet received Padma awards. The most notable absence is Uttam Kumar, considered the biggest name in Bengali cinema history. His exclusion from the Padma honors remains a topic of discussion among cinema enthusiasts and critics.
The Padma awards continue to recognize excellence and contribution across various fields, with Bengali actors maintaining a significant presence in the cinematic category. Prosenjit Chatterjee's recognition adds another chapter to this rich legacy of artistic achievement.
