Bengali actor Jeet — one of the most enduring names in Tollywood — says he has always seen himself as a human being and an artist first, long before he considers himself a star. Speaking on the sidelines of his latest release, the 47-year-old actor reflected on what two decades of superstardom in Bengali cinema actually means to him.

Stardom, as Jeet sees it

'I'm an artist. I'm a human. More than anything else, I'm a human first. And I think that work is a part of life. And I happen to be in a profession where I connect with people,' Jeet said. He added that the reach of his work sets it apart: 'My work reaches out to people faster. It penetrates deeper. It makes a different kind of connection.'

The actor, widely referred to as the Boss, described moments of genuine wonder when he encounters fans on his travels. 'I see glitters in their eyes. I see how unconditionally they love me. I see that, and I get really amazed with life — how it happened and why it happened,' he said. He was quick to add that the moment he returns home, those identities take over: 'I'm a father to someone. I'm a husband to someone, brother to someone. For me, stardom is just an additional part in your life. It's not your life.'

The new film: Keu Bole Biplabi Keu Bole Dakat

Jeet's latest release, 'Keu Bole Biplabi Keu Bole Dakat', is a biographical action drama directed by Pathikrit Basu. Set against the backdrop of 1960s Kolkata, the film follows the story of Ananta Singh — an ageing figure whose daring robberies of the powerful cleave public opinion, with some branding him a criminal and others revering him as a modern-day revolutionary.

The ensemble cast includes Tota Roy Chowdhury, Kaushik Sen, Rajatav Dutt, Chandan Sen, Loknath Dey, and Mimi Chakraborty.

A career built over two decades

Jeet has appeared in 57 films across a career spanning more than two decades, making him one of the most prolific actors in the Bengali film industry. Beyond the screen, he serves as the executive president of the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists' Forum — a role that underlines his influence both as a performer and as a voice within the industry's institutional structure.

Why this perspective matters

Jeet's remarks come at a time when the cult of celebrity in Indian regional cinema is expanding rapidly, with social media amplifying star personas far beyond the theatre. His grounding philosophy — that stardom is an addition to life, not life itself — offers a notably measured counterpoint to the industry's increasingly spectacle-driven culture. Notably, this is not the first time he has spoken about keeping personal identity separate from public image; it reflects a consistent stance across his public engagements over the years.