WEST BENGAL FILM ACTORS

Prosenjit Chatterjee

Prosenjit Chatterjee (also Prosenjeet Chatterjee or Prosenjit Chattopadhyay (Bengali: প্রসেনজিৎ চট্টোপাধ্যায় Prosenjit Chôṭṭopaddhae; born 30 September 1962), professionally known as Proshenjit, is a Bengali and Hindi film actor. His fans affectionately called him Bumba Da. In rural Bengal he is addressed as Poshenjit. His rural fan base led him to do many films which had rustic storylines, films intellectuals shied away from. But his popularity was undeniable. Since 2003 with Rituparno  Ghosh's  Chokher Bali (co-starring Aishwarya Rai) he has acted in numerous films that won critical acclaim. In 2007 he received the National Award Silver Lotus for his performance in Dosar. He had acted in over 279 films as of October 2009. He is the Chief Mentor at International Institute of Photography in Kolkata to guide young talents.

Prosenjit has been the leading star of Bengali (West Bengal) commercial cinema for the past three decades.

Family background

Prosenjit is the only son of Biswajeet, the actor from Tollygunge who carved a niche in Hindi cinema in the 1960s, Prosenjit made his debut when he was just four years old in his father's Chhotto Jignasa (The Tiny Question). The film was a big hit and little Boomba’s fresh and natural performance warmed hearts in full theatres in 1969. It was back to school after that. His parents divorced; at age of sixteen, Prosenjit was left with the responsibility of his family consisting of his mother and little sister Pallavi Chatterjee, now an actress in her own right. Recently he hosted a family reality show in zee bangla 'Banglar Sera Paribar'. He also produced a bengoli serial as a producer with his wife Arpita which is telecasted in zee bangla. The name of the serial is 'kanakanjali'.

However due to his father's role in his parents' separation, he and his sister Pallavi have little or no contact, at least officially, with him.

Prosenjit also got a request from Shoojit to play the role of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in Jaffna.

DEV

Native name	দেব
Born	Deepak Adhikari 25 December 1982 (age 30) Mahisha, West Bengal, India
Residence	Kolkata, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2005–present

Dev (Bengali: দেব) (born Deepak Adhikari on 25 December 1982) is a Bengali film actor. He made his acting debut in the film Agnishapath released in 2006. He is one of the biggest superstars and highest paid actors in Tollywood.

In addition to the films, he also endorses several brands such as Vivel-ITC Limited, Royal Stag, Shricon TMT Bars, Breakfresh Bisciuts.Recently, the brand new Bengali movie channel Jalsha Movies, has signed Dev as its brand ambassador.

Biography

Dev was born in Mahisha, a small village near Keshpur, to Guru and Mousumi Adhikari. He has a sister, Deepali. His nickname is Raju. He spent his childhood living with his maternal uncle in Chandrakona; after that, he was brought up in Mumbai. He attended Purushottam High School, in Bandra, and Bharatiya Vidyapeeth University, in Pune, receiving a Diploma in Computer engineering from the latter. After receiving his diploma, Dev returned to Mumbai and started his film career as an observer on the set of Abbas-Mustan's Taarzan: The Wonder Car. He also did an acting course at the Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Academy.

Film career

Dev with producer Nispal Singh Rane during shooting of Mon mane na

2005–2007

His first role as actor was in the 2005 film Agnishapath, directed by Prabir Nandi, opposite Rachana Banerjee. The film could not do much at the box office and was declared a flop. By this point, the film I Love You, directed by Ravi Kinnagi, was in development at Shree Venkatesh Films. Dev met with the producers and bagged the male lead role.

Despite the financial success of I Love You, Dev did not take on any other roles for about 14 months. He went to Mumbai, and, dedicated to improving himself, learned dance and trained under fight choreographer Aejaz Gulab (of Shootout at Lokhandwala and Mission Istaanbul).

2008–2010

Dev returned to acting in director Raj Chakraborty's action-romance Challenge, opposite Subhashree Ganguly. The film was a huge hit in West Bengal, giving Dev a considerable popularity boost.

Dev did item songs like "Pante Tali," as special appearance in the film Chirodini Tumi Je Amar, the track as well as the video were very successful. He also performed an additional item number in the film Jackpot, directed by Kaushik Ganguly. The song was a remake of "Jibone ki Pabona," a track originally performed by Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee. As special appearance Dev also appeared in Ekti Tarar Khonje directed by Abhik Mukhopadhyay.

In December 2010, Indian romantic Bengali film Shedin Dekha Hoyechilo starring Dev and Srabanti Chatterjee released, directed by Sujit Mondol and produced by Shree Venkatesh Films. This is the second collaboration between Dev and Sujit Mondol. This movie was one of the biggest hits of 2010. The title track of the movie being shot at Switzerland is one of the best romantic songs of tollywood ever. The chemistry between Dev and Srabanti is so mellifluous that it added a new flavour which was tremendously appreciated by the audience and critics. The film had an item number by Samidh and Rishi "Khokababu jaye, Lal juto paye" which was the entry song for Dev in the movie. The song's choreographer Baba Yadav said,"Dev has done a great job. There's no doubt that he is an amazing dancer. We shot the sequence over three-and-a-half days before rehearsing for the same 24x7. I wanted everyone to be thorough with the steps. Hence, I left no stone unturned to get the desired result. I have choreographed trendy steps in the locking-popping style. What I like about Dev is the fact that he enjoys dancing. This shows in his movements.""Khokababu jaye, Lal juto paye" was most costliest song of Tollywood ( costing nearly 50-60 million ) till Khokababu released in January 2012 having item number "Dance maare Khokababu" which is costlier than "Khokababu jaye, Lal juto paye".

In 2010, Dev received the "STAR Ananda SHERA NOTUN PROTIBHA AWARD," from the prestigious SHERA BANGALI AWARDS 2010.

2011–present

In June 2011, Dev starrer Paglu was released co–starring Koel Mallick and directed by Rajib Biswas. Produced by Surinder Films, this movie was the highest opener in Tollywood history beforeChallenge 2 released in October 2012. Paglu is highest in terms of earning T.R.P on Bengali television till date, having a T.R.P of 12.25, when it was telecast on Star Jalsa. It even left 3 Idiotsbehind in the T.R.P. battle. As per Sree Venkatesh distribution head, Debasis Sarkar – "Paglu released in 166 theatres across Bengal in the first week. The second week has seen the number of theatres rising to 169. The movie is running in 17 theatres in Kolkata. The gross collections till Monday's (13 June) matinee show have crossed Rs 50 million." The film was a super entertainer. It was extremely well packaged, whether it is songs, drama and action. Paglu was such a hit in Bengal, that even Salman Khan's Ready was relegated to second or third place in the region. This film also introduced martial art in Bengali cinema and Dev as the first martial art hero. The director said – " Dev was superb with the action sequences. He did some martial art stunts and also learnt kickboxing for two months only for my movie. I was amazed with his dedication. Bengali films haven't ever seen such action sequences before. There is a train and a bike chase sequence that was shot by Zoyeb and Dev. I was literally scared when they were shooting this sequence without any body double. Hats off to their courage".

In November 2011, his movie Romeo, directed by Sujit Mondol and co-starring Subhashree Ganguly, was released and earned Dev commendations from all sections of audience and from critics. The movie also saw Dev-Subhashree, the most talked about jodi (pair) of Tollywood and that too after two years.

In January 2012, Dev starred in Khokababu, the 2nd highest-grossing Tollywood film, once again opposite Subhashree Ganguly. The film directed by Shankar Aiyya and produced by Ashok Dhanuka Himanshu Dhanuka of Eskay Movies, is the longest running movie of 2012, remaining in theatre for more than 300 days. The film had an item number "Dance Maare Khokababu" which was the costliest song of Tollywood till Challenge 2 released in October 2012, whose title track "Challenge nibi na sala" broke the record to become the costliest song till now made inTollywood.

In October 2012, Dev's film Challenge 2 co–starring Pooja Bose was released in 270 theatres across India including West Bengal, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Bihar, Assam, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh.^] Directed by Raja Chanda and produced by Shree Venkatesh Films this is the most expensive movie made so far in Tollywood with a budget of 140 million (US$2.1 million). It broke many records in the Tollywood upon release by taking the largest nationwide opening, earning 113.5 million (US$1.7 million)( i.e. 80% of its Budget ) in 4 days. The record first week box office collection of Challenge 2 is 198 million (US$3.0 million) breaking the previously first week record collection of Paglu (Paglu collected 41.5 million(US$630,000) in its first week) by a huge gap. This movie is highest opener in history of Tollywood having over 95 percent occupancy rate in theatres of West Bengal & Kolkata and 60 percent occupancy rate in other states. Also this movie is highest grossing movie till now in tollywood overtaking Khokababu with big difference, thus becoming all-time blockbuster movie inTollywood. Now he is busy in his upcoming film Amar Race with Subhasree Ganguly.

Non-film work

Television

In November 2011, as a speacial appearance in Raj Chakraborty's serial 'Sobinoy Nibedon' in Sananda TV, with a bevy of beauties wrapped around him, Dev showed his Romeo side, dancing to Ami Romeo, Khokababu jaye, Gal mitthi mitthi bol and Paglu thoda sa karle romance. "I wish Naina and Joydeep a very happy married life,” Dev later told t2. Again in March 2012, Dev appeared in a holi speacial show 'Ronger Anandey' at Sananda TV.

In April 2010 and again in December 2011, he entered as a special guest in Mirakkel Akkel Challenger, an Indian Reality Show on Zee Bangla hosted by Mir Afsar Ali and directed by Subhankar Chattopadhya.

Stage

Dev has given many stage performances and has participated in several concerts. In 2007, he performed in the Bengal Film Journalists' Association(BFJA) awards 2007. In 2009, he performed in ETV bangla prathama in a Bengali TV channel ETV Bangla. He performed in a concert also, Mon Mane Na concert in 2009. Being a terrific dancer, he's also a brilliant stage performer. He also performed in many award functions as in Star Jalsha Entertaintment Awards 2009, Star Jalsha Entertaintment Awards 2010, Zee Banglar Gourav Samman 2011, Star Jalsha Entertaintment Awards 2011, Jaya Hey, Zee Bangalar Gourav Samman 2012.

Special appearances

Dev had speacial appearances in many films. In 2009, he appeared as a cameo in the item song "Pante tali" of Chirodini Tumi Je Amar directed by Raj Chakraborty and produced by Shree Venkatesh Films. The song was one of the leading chartbuster songs of the year. In the same year he appeared in an additional item number "" in the film Jackpot, directed by Kaushik Ganguly.The song was a remake of "Jibone ki Pabona," a track originally performed by Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee.

In 2010, he appeared as DEV himself, as a tollywood superstar in Abhik Mukhopadhyay's Ekti Tarar Khonje.

In 2012, as a speacial appearance and USP of the movie, Dev is playing as a cameo in Bawali Unlimited directed by Sujit Mondal.

JEET

Native name	জিৎ
Born	Jeetendra Madnani November 30, 1978 (age 35) Kolkata, India
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2002–present
Height	5'11"
Spouse(s)	Mohona Ratlani (2011-present)
Website
www.jeetonline.com

Jeet (Bengali: জিৎ) (born Jeetendra Madnani on 30 November 1978) is a Bengali film actor, producer and television presenter from Kolkata, India.Jeet began his acting career in 2002 with the film Saathi directed by Haranath Chakraborty, where he played the lead role for which he received theBFJA - Most Promising Actor Award for his performance in Saathi (2002). Followed by films Champion (2003), Naater Guru (2003), Shongee (2003),Premi (2004), Bondhon (2004), Juddho (2005), Hero (2006), Neel Akaser Chadni (2009),Wanted (2010), Josh (2010), Dui Prithibi (2010), Fighter(2011), Shotru (2011), 100% Love (2012), Awara (2012), Deewana (2013), Boss (2013), he has established himself as one of the biggest superstars inTollywood.

Early life

As a child he studied at St. Joseph & Mary's School, New Alipore later in National High School, Hazra Road and completed his graduation from the Bhawanipur Education Society College of the University of Calcutta. However, his academic life was interrupted soon after for joining his family business. Nevertheless, he had a renewed interest for Creative Art since his early days. He enjoyed watching dramas and movies. Sometimes he would try the styles and mannerisms of leading stars on himself. His friends insisted him to try his luck in Creative World.

Career

Jeet started with modelling assignments and then shifted to serials like Bishabriksha in 1994-95 directed by Bishnu Palchaudhuri in which he played Taracharan, Janani[disambiguation needed] by Bishnu Palchaudhuri in which he played Anil and Daughters Of The Century by Tapan Sinha in which he was cast in the roles of Champiya and Kadambini. In order to pursue a career in acting, Jeet left for Mumbai. He stayed there for five years without getting the breakthrough that he was looking for.

In a vacation back in Kolkata, he started meeting directors and producers. In the meanwhile, to pursue his acting, he became associated with an organization called the Prosenium Art Centre. It was at this time that he acted in two English dramas - 'Arms And The Man' and 'Man At The Floor'. Thereafter he left for Mumbai again. He started giving regular auditions over there. In this process he came to meet a producer from South India who cast him in the Telugu film Chandu, which was released in 2001. However, the film did not manage to garner him the kind of plaudits he needed to increase his acting cache in a dramatic manner.

In October 2001 when he was back to Kolkata once again he suddenly he received a call from Haranath Chakraborty to come up and meet him at NT1 Studio. The shooting of Sathi commenced from 15 January 2002 and with that film Jeet made a big splash on Bengali screen. The film created box office records. The youth of Bengal went crazy with the new avatar of a Bengali hero. Jeet's simple yet powerful acting appealed across masses. Though initially he mainly played romantic characters, he soon expanded his acting skills and successfully transformed into an action hero. In 2005, a special Durja Puja campaign of Thums Up launched Jeet as their brand ambassador in West Bengal. The ad was enormously popular in regional channels and remains one of the most loved Bengali ads to date. However, Jeet was not a newbee to ads. A relatively small budget ad of a regional brand of men's innerwear had jeet in the lead. That was in the mid-1990s. The ad showed him in a not-so-prevalent-then sexy macho masculine avatar, together with a raunchy female model on a bike. The ad still remains a remembered ad for its outrageous appeal during those days. In 2012 he became a successful producer with his Blockbuster hit movie named 100% Love. His second film in 2012 was Awara, which has broken all the records in the history of Bengali cinema. His upcoming projects are Boss with Subhasree Ganguly which in turn is a remake of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu's blockbuster movie Businessman (film) which was released in 2013. The film is going to be directed by Baba Yadav under the banner of Reliance Entertainment. Now he will pack with Abir chatterjee and Shardda das in Neeraj Pandey's Bhitu.