I've learnt so much from Mithunda: Prosenjit

Prosenjit Chatterjee says his look in 'Autograph' was inspired by a TOI photoshoot, why he'll judge Mithun Chakraborty's reality show and how Lalan Fakir's message is so relevant in the context of the Babri Masjid verdict that was announced on his b'day yesterday.
Rarely has a photoshoot done by any newspaper inspired the look of a star in a film. That's perhaps why it was pleasantly surprising when Prosenjit Chatterjee admitted that a photoshoot he had done for TOI was the springboard for his look in 'Autograph'.'It was a very different photoshoot.
I loved my look so much that I uploaded all the pictures on my website. Later, while finalizing my look as superstar Arun Chatterjee for 'Autograph', I decided to use that same look with minor tinkering here and there. While I wore a stubble in the photoshoot, I grew a beard for my film.'
The 'Autograph' look of Prosenjit has been so widely appreciated (director Bappaditya Bandopadhyay says the star's look resembles that of European actors in the film) that for the first time in his career, the superstar has agreed to walk the ramp at a city nightclub as part of a fashion show meant exclusively for Tollywood. 'Bumbada wanted me to follow CT look for this film and we designed his clothes keeping that in mind. Now, he has agreed to walk the ramp sporting that look at a special fashion show on October 6. We have designed a special jacket with Prosenjit's autograph embossed on it. We might want to auction that jacket too. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to the cause of the film industry,' says Abhishek Dutta, who was in charge of Prosenjit wardrobe for the film.
If walking the ramp is a first for Prosenjit, his stint as a celebrity judge for a reality show has its own share of novelty. The superstar has agreed to be a celebrity judge for Mithun Chakraborty's 'Dance Bangla Dance'. This too comes as pleasant surprise, considering that there have been widespread speculation about a rumoured rift between the stars. 'I usually don't participate in such events. I was asked to be a celebrity judge for 'Twinkle Twinkle Dancing Star' too. But I turned down that offer. However, when it comes to Mithunda's show, I am game. I am looking forward to my shoot with him. I've learnt so much from Mithunda.'
If the relationship between Mithun Chakraborty and him is so cordial, why then is there so much speculation surrounding a rift between the two? 'I am very fond of two Bengali icons ' Mithunda and Sourav. Both of them have leveraged Bengal's name to a different level altogether. Mithunda is a great actor. He has done all kinds of roles simultaneously and that's no mean feat. I have seen how he has given an incredible performance in 'Guru' and 'MLA Fatakeshto'. I had gone to a single screen theatre on Southern Avenue and had literally wept after watching Mithunda's performance in 'Guru'. As an actor, I understand how difficult it is to simultaneously do diverse roles like Mithunda has done in 'Guru' and 'MLA Fatakeshto'. That's how much respect I have for him,' he insists.
While mutual respect is fine, can he avoid a comparison of his performances in 'Autograph' and 'Lalan Fakir' with Mithun's in 'Shukno Lanka'? What about speculation that next year's National Awards will see a tough fight between these two icons? 'Mithunda respects me in his own way and I respect him a lot. If I win, I will not see myself as a better actor than him.
I know he is a bigger actor than me. In fact, I can also say that Tapas Paul is a better actor than me. It's another thing that Tapas couldn't achieve as much as he could have with his kind of talent.' So, is there any area where Prosenjit can claim that he is better than Mithun? The actor-superstar pauses for a moment and says, 'I really can't think of anything. I am very helpful and I connect with everyone in the industry. Mithunda also does the same. He has done so much of work in Bollywood. But yes, there is one area where I am a little jealous of Mithunda. He has done more films than I have! He is more than 15 years elder to me and has such a huge body of work in various film industries. In a lighter vein, I can say that I quit smoking four months ago. Mithunda hasn't been able to do that yet,' he smiles to add. So, is it a compliment if the audience wants to compare actor Prosenjit with actor Mithun? 'It's a blessing and not a compliment. Besides, it's a fruit of my hard work,' he says.
While being a celebrity guest on Mithun's show is exciting news, doesn't Prosenjit too want to host a reality show? Given that his first attempt at doing reality show had its share of hiccups, doesn't he want to do television, especially at a time when all Bollywood biggies are minting money on the small screen? 'If I don't do television, a section of viewers will say that I haven't done it because I'm not up to it. Apart from Mamata Banerjee and me, I guess, everyone has done reality television. Moreover, TV helps a celebrity reach out to a large section of the audience.'
However, the only hitch when it comes to doing television for Prosenjit is the huge success of Sourav Ganguly. 'When Sourav decided to anchor the quiz show, I was very apprehensive. I'm so happy with his success now. I am very fond of him and used to wonder how a quiet erson like Sourav would pull it off on-screen. During the initial days of the first season, I used sit up and watch his episodes. Once an episode got over, I would send him a message with my comments and suggestions. Today, I feel so proud and happy for his success,' he says. Therein lies the problem. With Sourav Ganguly being a successful anchor, Prosenjit has big shoes to fill. 'I can't be second. At least, I have to do something that is at par with his show.' Hence, the search is on and someday, Prosenjit hopes that he too will be convinced to take the plunge. 'Besides, television today is big money. It's like a bank. When I need to go to my bank, I'll do television,' he adds.
But as of now, Prosenjit is busy promoting 'Autograph'. Once the Pujas are over, he will begin shooting for Haranath Chakraborty's next movie. 'I play a single man with teenage daughters. We begin shooting in Kolkata after the Pujas. The film is in the commercial set-up but doesn't have the regular songs and fights. I am hoping that this too will be an
interesting movie,' he says.
There's another thing that Prosenjit is also hoping for. But then, that's in a completely different context (read the Babri Masjid verdict). Having played Lalan on-screen, he has imbibed Lalan's message of peace. As a parting shot, he says, 'I seek inspiration in a quote from Lalan that goes like: 'Ei prithibi te dutai jaat ' purush ar nari. Baki sob manusher onashristi.' Let's hope we understand the true meaning of these lines today.'
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