Prosenjit Chatterjee on why he chose to wear a traditional dhoti-kurta for his Padma Shri moment | Exclusive

For Prosenjit Chatterjee, receiving the Padma Shri was never going to be just another event appearance. Speaking exclusively to Firstpost, the Bengali cinema icon opened up about choosing to accept one of India’s highest civilian honours dressed in a traditional dhoti-kurta ensemble, a decision that, for him, carried far more emotional weight than fashion alone.

“I represent Bengal in a very big way and we have a tradition wearing dhoti and kurta. And I was really happy and feeling great because it’s not me, I represent Bengal industry, Bengali cinema, and it’s a tradition," the actor said while speaking to us. "This is the best time from getting the award from the Honorable President in front of our Prime Minister, the Home Minister and a lot of very senior dignitaries.”

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The outfit, created by designer Abhishek Roy, was envisioned as a tribute not only to Bengali heritage but also to Prosenjit’s four-decade-long contribution to Bengali cinema. For the actor, wearing the ensemble was also deeply personal.

“I really wanted to wear our dhoti and kurta and I was really happy. Receiving Padma Shri, I think everybody knows, is one of the most important civilian respects. The India government has given this respect to me. So it’s a very prestigious moment. It’s a lifetime moment. And what else I can wear in this, keeping in mind that I feel really proud to say that I am an Indian. I also feel very proud to say I am a Bengali from West Bengal.”

A Tribute To Bengali Cinema’s Legacy

The emotion behind the look becomes even more layered when one considers the cinematic history Prosenjit referenced while accepting the honour. He spoke not just as an individual actor, but as someone representing generations of Bengali artists who shaped Indian cinema.

“It’s my moment of pride, it’s a moment of the state which has produced, I will say, in respect of cinema, Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, Uttam Kumar, Soumitra Chatterjee, all these legends, and of course, Rabindranath Tagore,” he shared.

For Prosenjit, the Padma Shri moment also became an opportunity to acknowledge the artistic legacy he inherited. He added, “We are proud and it’s a blessing for us to represent Bengal and take this opportunity to give back the respect to all my seniors who has huge contribution in Indian cinema.”

How Designer Abhishek Roy Built The Look

That sentiment became the central inspiration for Abhishek Roy while conceptualising the ensemble. According to the designer, the brief from the very beginning was to create “a classic Bengali look that felt understated, elegant, regal and deeply rooted in culture.”

Roy told us, "The inspiration came from the old theatres and cinema halls of Bengal, reflecting Mr. Chatterjee’s extraordinary 40-year journey in Bengali cinema and his representation of Bengal on a national stage. Subtle motifs and embroidery details were inspired by theatre curtains, vintage balconies, ticket textures, and cinematic architecture, translated in a refined and wearable manner."

Crafted using rich tasar and mooga silk fabrics, the ensemble featured three-layer hand embroidery that celebrated Indian craftsmanship while maintaining a restrained silhouette. Roy described the final look as “a modern interpretation of the classic Bengali regal aesthetic,” one that was carried “with effortless grace and dignity” by the actor himself.

Regal, Rooted And Understated

The final look stood out precisely because it did not chase spectacle. Instead, it embraced nostalgia, heritage and identity with confidence.

The dhoti-kurta felt deeply traditional without appearing costume-like. Regal without excess. Detailed without losing simplicity. And perhaps that is why the outfit resonated beyond fashion conversations.