New Delhi, November 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar’s recent appearance on the theatre stage as former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has revived interest in the tradition of politicians from West Bengal pursuing their passion for acting alongside public life.
Majumdar performed on Sunday in ‘Keshari Hatya’, a play depicting the life and death of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. He played Vajpayee and also appeared as the narrator. Majumdar said he accepted the role because, as he put it, “every Bengali has a latent desire to act”.
His appearance has drawn comparisons with former Union Minister Ajit Panja (1936-2008), who earned recognition for portraying Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa in productions of ‘Nati Binodini’. Panja, a senior Congress leader who later joined the Trinamool Congress, served in several Union ministries and was also a passionate theatre actor. One of his performances was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu were among those who watched the production.
Senior journalist Saumya Bandopadhya recalled that besides Panja and Majumdar, former West Bengal ministers Subrata Mukherjee and Bratya Basu had also performed on stage and in cinema. However, neither Mukherjee nor Basu served as Union Ministers.
Another senior journalist, Gautam Hor, said theatre enthusiasts from different professions could take to the stage, but ministerial responsibilities made it difficult because of the time required for rehearsals.
Majumdar said rehearsals for the production were held alongside his official engagements, with him participating whenever his schedule allowed.
His performance at Kolkata’s Rabindra Sadan has brought the spotlight back on Bengal’s enduring connection with theatre and the performing arts.
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