For Prosenjit Chatterjee, the moment of national recognition came quietly—but emotionally. The Bengali cinema icon revealed that he received news of his Padma Shri honour while sitting inside Navina Cinema, watching his latest Bengali release among audiences who have supported him for over four decades.
Instead of seeing it as a personal milestone alone, Prosenjit chose to turn the moment into a tribute—first and foremost to his late mother.
“I Will Dedicate It to My Mother”
Speaking to PTI, Prosenjit said the Padma Shri belongs to the woman who shaped his journey long before awards and applause followed.
“I will first dedicate this honour to my mother,” he shared. “She sacrificed so much to bring us up and paved my path. Whatever I am today comes from that foundation.”
He also extended the dedication to his family, including his son Mishuk, while making it clear that the honour is incomplete without acknowledging the audiences who stood by him across generations.
“What I’ve become is because of countless viewers who accepted me, again and again,” he added.
A Proud Call With His Father
One of the first people Prosenjit spoke to after hearing the news was his father, legendary actor Biswajit Chatterjee. Recalling the conversation, Prosenjit said the words stayed with him.
“He told me, ‘So you’ve got it. I’m so proud of you,’” the actor shared, visibly moved.
Remembering Rituparno Ghosh
While the honour brought joy, it also stirred memories of absence. Prosenjit said the day felt incomplete without filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh, his longtime collaborator and friend.
“Rituparno was instrumental in shaping a different Prosenjit—one rooted in realistic, critically acclaimed cinema,” he said. “I miss him deeply today.”
The actor credited Ghosh for redefining his image beyond mainstream stardom and introducing him to nuanced, arthouse storytelling that earned him respect beyond box-office success.
“I Never Thought of It as Overdue”
Asked whether he felt the Padma Shri should have come earlier, Prosenjit dismissed the idea.
“I don’t see it that way,” he said. “Soumitra Chatterjee received honours at different points in his life. Timing doesn’t matter. What matters is that the government has chosen to honour my work, and for that, I’m grateful.”
A Moment Shared With Bengal
The announcement of Padma Award 2026 winners has been especially meaningful for West Bengal. Alongside Prosenjit, renowned tabla maestro Pt Kumar Bose also received the Padma Shri, dedicating his honour to his wife and family, and to Bengal’s rich classical music tradition.
Final Words
For Prosenjit Chatterjee, the Padma Shri isn’t a trophy—it’s a reflection of lineage, mentorship, sacrifice, and audience love. In dedicating the honour to his mother and mentors, the Bengali superstar reminded everyone why his journey has always felt personal to millions: because he never walked it alone.
