' Yeh Mera India '

Prosenjit Chatterjee

While his fans admire him for the gravitas and earnestness he lends to the roles he takes up, Prosenjit Chatterjee has been giving them additional reasons to cheer as he continuously reinvents himself as an actor, leaving his charisma on a host of productions outside the Bengali film industry. Fresh from the success of Vikramaditya Motwane’s retro drama series, Jubilee, where he plays Shrikant Roy - a film studio magnate with a sharp sense to spot stars - the actor is also getting rave reviews for Hansal Mehta and Mrumayee

Lagoo Waikul’s Netflix crime drama Scoop In the midst of hectic days, when he sits down with a cup of coffee to talk about travel, you can sense what exactly calms the weary nerves of the artiste.

Words Sharmi

Meet the author

Sharmi Adhikary has been a Delhi-based senior lifestyle journalist and columnist for two decades. She has a yen for exploring interesting concepts in fashion, culture and cinema, and loves writing on topics that spark conversations.

City closest to the heart

I have always shared a close bond with Mumbai, not only because my father [veteran actor Biswajit Chatterjee] lives there but also because I have been visiting it since my childhood. Now, I visit Mumbai due to the exhilarating work that I continue to pursue when I am in the city. Be it the work culture, the people, the cool sea breeze, the beaches and pavbhaaji, the weather or the overall go-getter vibe - Mumbai’s air is infectious. Yes, one might have issues with the traffic but you just have to tune yourself in a manner that you don’t feel restless inside the car while travelling from one part of the city to another. What I do is...I complete a large portion of my written jobs during the commute. That leaves me free to enjoy Mumbai once my work commitments are met with.

Mumbai and its beautiful outskirts

The outskirts of Mumbai are beautiful and short getaways are a must if you are in the city. The Western Ghats are breathtaking once you take to the road. There is so much to explore that calms your nerves. I would also like to mention Mumbai's iconic Sun-n-Sand Hotel, where I stay quite frequently. A favourite among many evergreen Bollywood stars, including Dev Anand and Shashi Kapoor, the hotel has featured in numerous films too. What's heartening is how its old world charm has been retained while continuing to floor guests with impeccable service. It’s a muststop whenever I am in the city.

Food favourites

I am a Bengali with a yen for delicious food. While every part of my country offers a veritable range of dishes that one needs a lifetime to savour - delicacies from Lucknow and Hyderabad are close to my heart. I absolutely admire the cuisine and the fare available in these cities. Melt-inmouth kebabs, aromatic biriyanis, and wellbalanced and spiced meat preparations are what makes Hyderabad and Lucknow a gourmand's go-to destination.

That memorable trip from childhood

You know how little boys feel, like they have grown up when their mothers don’t accompany them to a place? Well, I felt it too! Around 1963-64, I had accompanied my father to Kashmir. He was shooting there for the film Mere Sanam. It was a trip to remember - the people, the place, the food, the excitement. Kashmir has always stupefied me. Nowadays, when I see the valley bustling with events and tourists, it leaves me with a wide smile. Instantly, those fond memories of my yesteryear trip to Kashmir resurfaces and I cherish all those joyful moments all over again.

Odisha and its evolution as a tourist magnet

I have been traveling to Odisha quite often. It is clear that the state has undergone changes. The roads are better and the infrastructure is fabulous. Odisha is full of history, heritage and culture. A visit to Puri’s Jagannath Temple is a must for me. The state is also one that takes pride in its arts and crafts - be it those who weave stunning ikat sarees, craft exquisite silver filigree jewellery or make stunning pattachitra art (that has been awarded GI status)!

Favourite places to visit Kolkata is my birthplace, so it will always be my favourite. But I felt immensely welcomed in Assam, Kerala and Tripura, apart from other cities and states. Kerala is a place I enjoy visiting because of the green cover, food and the calming aura. It relaxes and rejuvenates me. The enormity of India is not just in its size. You can actually feel the pulsating vibe of our country. I visit international destinations quite often but my heart lies within India as there is so much to visit and explore.

Travel as a celebrity or contact your preferred travel agent

Celebrity travel is evolving. Earlier, we were hounded for autographs. Now, it’s selfies. Movement is restricted but we celebrities want to be recognised. Being papped or surrounded by fans can't be an irritant for us. I call this love.

The world belongs to those who can capture its beauty. All you need is a camera.

Come be a part of a community of photography enthusiasts, formed to share, inspire and motivate. Share your best captures with us on Instagram @nofilterbyIndiGo to get featured.

One Place One Place

5Wayslyon 5lyon

Discover Lyon, a heritage city in France. A hub of culture and history, explore its great architectural marvels that hark back to the ancient times. Enjoy a fun-filled shopping spree and relish local delicacies.

History

Roman Connection

It is said Lyon was founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC as the capital of the Three Gauls. A majestic city, it has played a major role in Europe's political, cultural and economic development.

Architectural Landmarks

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lyon is known for its historical and architectural landmarks - from the Cathédrale St-Jean-Baptiste to Musée Lumière that pays homage to Louis and Auguste Lumière and their invention, the Cinématographe.

Lyon Opera House

Also known as Opéra de Lyon, this neoclassical theatre was built in 1831 and refurbished in 1993. Apart from being a beautiful architectural wonder, the theatre hosts some of the best art and cultural performances in the city.

Heritage

MUSÉE DES BEAUX-ARTS

This gorgeous museum houses one of France's finest collections of sculptures and paintings. Its collections range from ancient Egypt antiquities to Modern art and make the museum one of the most important in Europe.

Mus Es Gadagne

This exhibition space includes an excellent local history museum, Musée d'Histoire de Lyon, that chronicles the city's history, and an international puppet museum, Musée des Marionettes du Monde.

Monuments

Place Bellecour

The17th-century Place Bellecour is a public square - one of the largest in Europe. Hop on a 60-m-high Ferris

Basilique Notre Dame De Fourvi Re

Perched on a hill offering stunning city views from its terrace, this majestic 19th-century French monument is lined with magnificent mosaics. Do experience the rooftop tour that ends on the stone-sculpted roof for a complete feel of the basilica.

Rosette De Lyon

The city's staple, this is among the most famous local delicacies of Lyon. It is a large and dry

Food

Coq Au Vin

This hearty and traditional French meal is prepared with braised chicken with mushrooms, garlic and lardons. The highlight of the dish is its curry that is prepared with wine. This dish has different variations.

Shopping

PRESQU'ILE DISTRICT

Lyon’s central district stretching between the Rhône and Saône rivers, it is home to the Rue de la République, the city's main shopping street. For luxury boutiques, head to Rue du Président Édouard Herriot.

La Croix Rousse

The Croix Rousse neighbourhood is famous for its silk industry. Buy crafts, silk-ware and fabrics and enjoy the enigmatic vibe. Do not forget to check out some food stalls here.

Connecting India with our hearts!

IndiGoReach is the CSR arm of IndiGo, and our interventions focus on sustainable development by reaching out to communities in small towns and villages of India. This is also a testament to our vision of connecting ‘India by IndiGo’. Our initiatives are focused on Children and Education, Women Empowerment, Environment and Heritage.

We are proud, yet humbled to have reached out to more than 1,15,300 individuals across the country last year. This includes about 45,100 children, whom we have supported with quality education. Similarly, the women empowerment programs focus on enhancing the income of more than 54,000 women in some of the remote districts.

Our IndiGoReach initiatives for the environment are committed to reducing the carbon footprint. The programs include promoting the usage of biogas, smokeless chulha, solar domestic lights, reforestation and conserving water bodies. As part of an Upcycle project, our inflight seat covers and carpets are retired and upcycled into bags, folders and other marketable products thus contributing to the income of artisans involved in the project.

Our initiatives on Heritage seek to promote India's culture and heritage. We have undertaken programs to preserve some of the key monuments of India. The ‘My City My Heritage’ Campaign is an endeavour to raise awareness about the intangible aspects of heritage and culture by organizing Heritage Walks in multiple cities.

At IndiGoReach, we see ourselves as Catalysts of Change and all these impactful changes have been possible due to our partnership with esteemed organisations, big and small.

Employee volunteering is an intrinsic part of IndiGo’s culture and employees are encouraged to volunteer their time, experience, and talent to contribute to the CSR programmes.

Our efforts are all focused on reaching out not just with our planes; but also with our hearts !

Raju