Prosenjit Chatterjee on Food, Family, and Bengali Nostalgia

Veteran Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee recently shared his thoughts on food, family memories, and the unique emotional connect Bengalis have with their cuisine. The interview offers a glimpse into his personal life and the strict discipline he maintains for his career.

Culinary Memories: Mother's Cooking and Grandfather's Legacy

Prosenjit Chatterjee started by emphasizing that while he wouldn't strictly call it "Bengali food," his mother's cooking immediately comes to mind. "Honestly, the first thing I recall is my mother's cooking because she truly was an excellent cook, incredibly good," he said.

He recounted a fascinating family story highlighting his mother's passion for food:

"My mother had a beauty that good food would always be cooked. I remember, there was a time when the recipe for 'Rejala' and 'Royal's Chop' at our house--the person who made it, his identity was kept a secret. My father would take 'Royal's Chop' from Kolkata to his friends in Bombay. Suddenly, one day, I saw a commotion at home. All my mother's sisters had gathered because they had kidnapped the chef who made Royal's Chop and brought him home to learn how it was prepared!"

He described his family as having a deep connection to the culture of eating:

"I would say I come from a family that has a whole tradition of eating. My maternal grandfather had a huge focus on food; he used to feed a hundred people every morning and night at his house. Nobody knew who was eating, but the food was served."

He affectionately recalled his mother's ingenuity during leaner times: "There was a time when we couldn't afford eggs, chicken, mutton, or fish often. My mother would cook a single egg in such a way that everyone in the family could at least smell the egg. She would cook and feed us like that--that too, is my mother's cooking."

Discipline and Favourite Indulgences

When asked about controlling his diet, the actor gave a practical reason for his discipline:

"I control it for one reason: producers pay me, and I have to maintain that control. I work for the producers. That's why I don't do anything extra (indulge). Every profession has its own responsibilities, and keeping oneself fit comes from that duty."

However, he admitted that his resolve breaks when faced with a few particular favourite foods. His major weakness includes:

Shingara (Samosa)

Alur Dom (Spicy Potato Curry)

Daal and Bhaat (Lentils and Rice)

Uchhe (Bitter Gourd), especially in Shukto (a mix-vegetable bitter stew).

The Emotion of Bengali Cuisine

Reflecting on the deeper meaning of Bengali food, Prosenjit Chatterjee highlighted its emotional significance, especially the 'Puja Bhog' (food offering to the deity during Durga Puja).

"The Puja Bhog... yes, Bengali food has a distinct aroma, no doubt about it. Bengali food, for us, is emotion. It creates a separate space (in our hearts). And we feel very proud when we travel abroad and there is so much discussion about Bengali cuisine."

The Disappearance of Hilsa and a Hidden Gem

Finally, when asked about his favourite fish, the actor revealed a surprising shift in his palate:

"Look, I used to eat a lot of Hilsa fish at one time. But for the past few years, I have forgotten the taste of Hilsa. But if you ask me what my favourite fish is, which I would genuinely love to eat, it is Aar Maachh (Catfish)."

He described a dish his mother used to prepare: "My mother used to make a kind of rich curry ('kosha-type') of Aar Maachh with green chillies. It was superb. Now, I don't eat it; now it's all about... what is it? Healthy food."