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By Shoma A. Chatterji
Just as his latest blockbuster Chander Pahar marked him as an actor with potential, Dev found his name almost at the top of the list of candidates roped in for the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections from West Bengal. His closeness to his ‘Didi’ (Chief minister Mamata Banerjee) is all too visible across satellite channels where the star actor is often seen sharing the front row with her. Dev says he is honoured by Didi’s decision to choose him. “I hope to trigger political awareness among the youth of West Bengal and am looking forward to the responsibility and the time it demands.”
So, what happens to his career as a star-actor? Dev’s most promising assignment is Aniruddha Roy Choduhury’s Buno Haansh, produced by Reliance Entertainment. But the director has decided to postpone the release of the film which was earlier scheduled for April 11 because the actor is busy with the Lok Sabha campaigns. “I do not wish to release the film right now because the film’s release in the state-owned cinema complex Nandan might pose problems before the elections. I am a well-wisher of Dev and know that it would be difficult for him to concentrate on strengthening his political base in his constituency Ghatal and concentrating on the promotional programmes for the film at the same time. Waiting for a couple of months will not harm my film,” says Roy Choudhury. Incidentally, actress Moon Moon Sen who is also contesting the Lok Sabha Polls on a TMC ticket, features in Bono Haansh.
Producer Nishpal Singh of Rangbaaz and Paglu fame that starred Dev has signed the actor for a new film to be directed by Ravi Kinnagi and the shooting was to begin in July. But is Dev committing a blunder by joining politics just when his career seems to be blooming? “This is a very subjective decision and it is difficult for others to comment on it. But Dev is a nice human being, completely down-to-earth and cares for the common man. I do not think his career will receive a jolt with this decision,” says Nishpal Singh of Surinder Singh Films.
What about Raj Chakraborty’s remake of the Telugu hit Magadheera in Bengali in which Dev plays the lead? What about the Rs. 1 crore set being constructed for the film at Chandrakona? “He is a workaholic and can work round the clock. We do not mind pushing the shooting for the film to some time later because we wish to stand by him as he enters this new phase in his life. The film was to go on the floors around July,” says Mahendra Soni of Shree Venkatesh Films who are producing the Bengali version.
Veterans who have been studying the electoral sways in the state are confident that though Ghatal is still one of the strongest CPM constituencies in the state, Dev, who was born in Ghatal and lived there till his early schooling, enjoys a huge fan-following. The locals are all in support of him and are very excited. If he wins however, one can guess what shape his acting career will take. The other actors in the fray; Moon Moon Sen, Sandhya Roy, Biswajit, etc, have almost retired from films. But Dev has not.
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