It’s been five summers since Tollywood actor Dev turned producer, backing different kinds of films with different directors. The journey began with Chaamp in June 2017 and Dev’s production house, Dev Entertainment Venture, has found a sure footing over the years. Here are the top five films produced by Dev that also have him in a lead role.
Chaamp (2017)
Directed by Raj Chakrabarty, Chaamp is a sports drama that marked the debut of Rukmini Maitra as the lead actress opposite Dev. Chaamp celebrates the indomitable fighting spirit of a young boxer, Shivaji (Dev), who comes to Kolkata from a remote village in Purulia to sharpen his boxing skills, encouraged by his mentor Buroda (Chiranjit). As Shivaji tastes success and falls in love with Jaya (Rukmini Maitra), his career begins to suffer. But he gets back up on his feet to overcome all hardships and emerge a champion.
Password (2019)
Director Kamaleshwar Mukherjee’s Password explores the idea of seeking solutions to the cons of technology in the digital age and the way it affects people. Starring Dev, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Rukmini Maitra and Paoli Dam, this action-packed thriller sheds light on the murky world of cyber terrorism. In the film, intelligence agency RAW recruits young officer Rohit (Dev) to fight cyber crimes. Rohit finds Nisha (Rukmini), a spunky young woman, by his side in this mission. Ismailov and Mariom, played by Parambrata and Paoli, are terrorists trying to hack into the government’s online databases to get hold of secret documents. The film is about how Rohit and his team foil their plans.
Hobu Chandra Raja Gobu Chandra Montri (2021)
Directed by Aniket Chattopadhyay, this film is based on stories from the book Dadamoshayer Thole written by Dakkhinaranjan Mitra. Hobu Chandra Raja Gobu Chandra Montri tells the story of Bombagarh, ruled by King Hobuchandra, where peace prevails and the people live in prosperity. However, as the greedy and fraud minister Gobuchandra takes charge, things take a turn for the worse. Although marketed as a film for children, with rhyming dialogue, the film holds a mirror to modern society and its political volatility.
Tonic (2021)
Directed by Abhijit Sen, Tonic is one of the first Bengali films to release in theatres after the lockdowns were lifted and it went on to become a box-office hit. Starring Paran Bandyopadhyay and Dev in key roles, Tonic is a family drama that zooms into the mind of a retired man who feels suffocated in his routine life and wants to break free. On his 46th wedding anniversary, he wants to take his wife on a foreign trip, but his son has other plans. Paran Bandyopadhyay breathes life into the character of Jaladhar with his sharp wit, eccentric mannerisms and nuanced performance. The soulful songs are a bonus.
Kishmish (2022)
Directed by Rahul Mukherjee, this is a love story between Tintin (Dev) and Rohini (Rukmini Maitra). Tintin, who’s not interested in academics and aspires to be a cartoonist, is packed off to Darjeeling to complete his studies. There, in college, he falls in love with class topper Rohini. But Tintin’s mother stands in the way of their union. Kishmish has the vibe of a college romance and there is a freshness in the narrative style. Kharaj Mukherjee and Anjana Basu stand out among the supporting cast as Tintin’s parents.
