BY RUCHIRA GHOSH

The Corporate Guy Who Aims for Stardom

While Analjit Chakraborty is busy deftly handling customers at his desk in a Blue Dart office located in one of Kolkata’s busiest commercial districts, one might mistake him for an ordinary corporate professional, much like many others we encounter daily. Few would realize that this tall, handsome gentleman is an emerging movie star with several successful Bengali films to his credit. His latest film, Daroga Mamur Kirti (Super Cop Uncle’s Exploits), released in late 2024, has performed exceptionally well at the box office. Beyond acting, Chakraborty has also had a stint in the advertising world, modeling for several renowned and upscale consumer products.

Taking a peek into his personal life, we discover how an ordinary boy from a modest background, with his feet firmly on the ground, can aim for the stars and achieve notable success in a relatively short time. His story is one of soaring ambition and unwavering determination to thrive in a world filled with challenges and struggles.

Like most boys of his age, Analjit was born into an average Bengali middle-class household. His father was a police officer, and his mother was a schoolteacher. Like many parents, they instilled in him lofty ideals of ambition and a strong desire to succeed—to carve a niche for himself in society. They believed this could only be achieved through education.

Analjit Chakraborty was remarkably candid about his eventful life and career. Let us hear about it in his own words:

How were your childhood and early years?
My father was a Deputy Police Superintendent in West Bengal, known for his strict principles and unwavering honesty. He held a double graduate degree and managed several police stations and subdivisions while serving as the Head of Department in various districts across West Bengal.

My mother was a schoolteacher. Unfortunately, she succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was a deeply traumatic experience for me. She was highly creative and received a gold medal from the erstwhile Chief Minister, Prafulla Sen, in the 1960s for her drawing and crafting skills. During her school days, she even received the patronage of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a noted physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal.

She loved reciting and singing melodies based on the works of legendary poets like Gurudev Tagore, Kazi Nazrul, and Atul Prasad. Throughout my life, she consistently inspired me to engage in creative activities.

During my school days, I was quite mischievous and only an average performer. My mother sacrificed her career to dedicate her time and energy to ensure I didn’t grow up spoiled. My father always emphasized the importance of earning degrees and diplomas before selecting a career path. Despite being aware of my mischievous nature, he encouraged me to sit for competitive exams. Fortunately, I was selected for an MBA program at Calcutta University in 1999 and later secured a job through campus placement.

Currently, I work as the Branch Head for Kolkata at DHL Blue Dart, a multinational corporation responsible for revenue and operations. I am also a guest lecturer for an IISWBM MBA course at Calcutta University.

All the qualifications I have earned thus far—a B.Com (Honors) and an MBA degree—are largely due to my parents’ persistent encouragement and blessings. Without their support, my education might not have progressed beyond the 10th grade. Today, I fully understand the significance of education and the reasons behind my parents’ insistence.

What lured you to acting?
I played my first character role in 1984 and 1985 in intra-school drama competitions, which were held annually at my school. In 1985, I received the Best Actor award for my performance in Amar Chelebala, based on Maxim Gorky’s My Childhood. That’s when I realized my potential for acting. My mother encouraged me to join acting classes at the Nehru Children’s Museum in 1986, where I began receiving formal guidance. However, I had to discontinue the classes temporarily due to upcoming school exams. My mother suggested I continue the course whenever I had the time. During that period, I joined a theatre group, which allowed me to act in plays staged in various halls.

How did you get your acting break?
Two of my teachers at my alma mater, Laban Hrad Vidyapith in Salt Lake, Kolkata, selected me to play the character of Kath Buro (an old man with a wooden stick) from Sukumar Roy’s Abol Tabol, a famous anthology of hilarious nonsense rhymes. This role was for its televised version, which aired on DD Bangla in 1988.

My second acting phase began between 2014 and 2022. The first opportunity was the Bengali TV serial Tomay Amay Mile in 2014. After that, I started receiving offers from various TV channels, successfully building a huge fan following in the process.

In an uncanny coincidence, in Madhabilata, I portrayed a dutiful and upright forest officer named Analjit (which translates to “the valiant one who conquers fire”). The producers chose to use my name for this character, and I hold it dear because it was my late mother’s choice.

I also appeared in short films on YouTube, including Hello Doctor, which features Rahul Barman and veteran actress Rumki Chatterjee. Abir Chatterjee, Tollywood’s superhero and heartthrob, is her son.

Tell us about your journey in the tinsel world.
I have acted in a few Bengali feature films so far. My first film appearance was a minor role in Khiladi alongside the highly popular action hero Ankush Hazra. Later, I played a leading negative role in Savings Account, co-starring Ankush and Sayantika (available on OTT platform Zee5). I have also appeared in Game and Bachchan with Jeet. My latest stint was in Daroga Mamur Kirti, alongside thespians Ranjit Mallick, Kharaj Mukherjee, and Laboni Sarkar, where I played the hero’s father.

Please share your modeling experience with us.
My most-aired ads include Vivekananda Hospital and the ISL Football League (ABP Ananda Bangla channel), where I portrayed a doctor and a football coach, respectively. I have appeared in various hoardings and newspaper ads across Kolkata. I have modeled for popular brands such as Shalimar Coconut Oil, Birla Cement, Konark Cement, Dr. Gupta’s Clinic, Santra Publication, and Mio Amore (a bakery/confectionery brand).

How has the public responded to your work, given your familiar face?
It’s always nice to have friends and acquaintances call you up after seeing you perform. People have been very appreciative and have admired the nuances of each character I’ve played. (Laughs) I still remember how, once, while traveling from Gariahat to Rashbehari (Kolkata localities), a co-passenger kept staring at me. It was rather awkward. Suddenly, she asked, “You’re the forest officer in Madhabilata, aren’t you?” It made me feel elated.

What was it like to face the camera while being watched by the crew?
I have been closely engaged with stage productions from an early age, but facing the camera is a different ballgame altogether. An actor has to be cautious about every single penny spent on a take and minimize mistakes.

My exposure to the stage helped me maintain my composure when I faced the camera for the first time with the crew looking on. However, with each passing day, I’ve realized that even if you feel confident, the lights can send a chilling sensation down your spine. This sensation perpetually drives an actor toward perfection.

Any memorable behind-the-scenes incidents?
I thoroughly enjoyed working with Shri Ranjit Mallick. He is so humble and down-to-earth. He would interact with me as if we were old acquaintances. During the shoots in North Bengal, where we shared the screen, he greatly motivated me. I also loved working with Director Nehal Dutta.

What are the pros and cons of the entertainment industry?
The plus side is that one can always explore new avenues and enjoy the glamour. On the flip side, you can never be sure whether or not you’ll get regular assignments.

How has it been juggling corporate work with serials and films?
Initially, it appeared challenging due to work pressure and limited time for my family. Eventually, I’ve been able to manage both seamlessly, thanks to my passion for acting and natural inclination toward the performing arts. Moreover, my company has been extremely supportive and has acknowledged my creative pursuits.

How is the entertainment industry in terms of remuneration?
Remuneration has never been a priority for me. So far, I’ve received offers that align with industry standards.

If not an actor, what would you have been?
An administrator. (Grins)

What are your future plans in the entertainment industry?
Well, there are two big-budget movies already in the pipeline. As of now, I’ve decided not to take on any further TV serials due to time constraints. I would love to return to acting in TV serials after my retirement. Phew! That’s quite a long way off.