Exclusive: Khakee The Bengal Chapter stars Prosenjit Chatterjee & Jeet on Bengali cinema¡¯s legacy & regional storytelling

The Netflix series Khakee: The Bengal Chapter has become a massive hit, resonating not just with audiences in Bengal and Bangladesh but also globally. The show has captivated even non-Bengali speakers, thanks to its powerhouse performances and compelling narrative. A testament to the growing global acceptance of regional storytelling, the series has sparked widespread acclaim. Speaking to Indiatimes amid the ongoing buzz, actors Prosenjit Chatterjee and Jeet who portray Barun Roy and IPS Arjun Maitra, respectively shared their thoughts on the show¡¯s success, the evolution of Bengali cinema, and beyond!

Prosenjit Chatterjee during a scene in Khakee The Bengal Chapter | Credit: Netflix

A Success: The Impact of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter

Jeet, who made his digital debut with the series, expressed his overwhelming joy at the audience¡¯s response. ¡°I¡¯m extremely happy that people have connected with the show. They are loving the storytelling, the narrative, and the performances of the entire cast. That¡¯s such a beautiful thing to happen.¡± He further added that after months of hard work and sleepless nights, he is finally able to enjoy peaceful sleep, knowing that their efforts have paid off.

Jeet as IPS in Khakee The Bengal Chapter | Credit: Netflix

He added, "Through this show, we have been receiving messages and calls from different parts of the world. It definitely feels amazing. When your work is appreciated and loved by people, it validates your efforts. That kind of recognition brings immense satisfaction to a creative person."

Prosenjit Chatterjee, a veteran of Bengali cinema, shared his excitement about the project. ¡°It¡¯s amazing to see the show being accepted not just in Bengal or Bangladesh, but internationally as well. While we were shooting, we knew it was special, but the kind of love we have received worldwide has been overwhelming.¡± He also noted that the series¡¯ success proves that audiences are now more open to watching content in different languages, especially through OTT platforms.

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The Rise of Regional Cinema in the Streaming Era

Both Jeet and Prosenjit acknowledged the impact of streaming platforms in bringing regional cinema to a wider audience. Jeet believes that ¡°language is never a barrier. If the narrative is engaging enough and keeps you hooked, your job is done.¡± Prosenjit echoed this sentiment, stating, ¡°Today, people watch Korean, Spanish, and various regional Indian shows. It¡¯s all about realism and relatability. That¡¯s what OTT has given us, the space to tell diverse and unique stories.¡±

¡°I think this is a great time for the regional film industry¡ªnot just Bengali, but also Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Punjabi. Many shows and films are coming up. To be very honest, I was part of a film called Chokher Bali. Anyone who loves cinema knows about Chokher Bali, which was directed by the late Rituparno Ghosh. It was based on a Tagore story and was widely appreciated by audiences worldwide.¡±

Prosenjit Chatterjee and Aishwarya Rai in a scene from Chokher Bali | Credit: X

Exploring an Untold Side of Bengal

One of the most intriguing aspects of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is its portrayal of a side of Bengal that has rarely been explored. Prosenjit emphasized this, stating, ¡°People know Bengal for its rich cultural heritage, but this show presents a darker, more complex side of the region. Even in Bangla cinema, we haven¡¯t seen such an exploration before. That¡¯s what makes this project exceptional.¡±

Bengali Cinema¡¯s Future on the Global Stage

Prosenjit also reflected on the legacy of Bengali cinema, acknowledging the contributions of great filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, and Mrinal Sen. While Bengali cinema has long been associated with artistic storytelling, he stressed the need for more mainstream, commercially viable projects. ¡°We need more shows like Khaki: The Bengal Chapter or films like Kahaani. The time has come to focus on mainstream projects that can reach global audiences.¡±

He is optimistic about the future, revealing that many promising projects are in the pipeline. ¡°Bengal has always had strong literature and theatre, and now, we are also proving that we can create large-scale, commercially successful content. I have no doubt that very soon, some major projects from Bengal will make a mark on the global stage.¡±

Ritwik Bhowmik's still from the show | Credit: Netflix

Balancing Creativity and Censorship in OTT Content

Addressing the subject of censorship, Prosenjit acknowledged its necessity but also highlighted the flexibility that OTT platforms offer. ¡°Censorship is important for cinema and plays a crucial role in protecting certain values. However, OTT platforms have their own internal guidelines. If you tell an honest and passionate story, censorship won¡¯t be a problem.¡± He emphasized that responsible storytelling is key to avoiding unnecessary controversies while maintaining creative integrity.

A Transformative Experience for the Cast

For both actors, working on Khaki: The Bengal Chapter was more than just another project; it was an enriching journey. Jeet described the experience as ¡°a wonderful learning process¡± and emphasized the importance of always maintaining a student-like approach to life. Prosenjit, who has been in the industry for over 40 years, shared that he learned a lot from working with younger actors like Hrithik, Adil, and Chitrangada. ¡°The language of cinema and performance has changed over the years. Every day, you learn something new, especially from today¡¯s generation of actors and directors.¡±

As both Jeet and Prosenjit suggest, this is just the beginning, and the best is yet to come for Bengali entertainment on the world stage.

Directed by Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Ray and created by Neeraj Pandey, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is available for streaming on Netflix.

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