The pre-trailer launch of Dev’s Christmas film, Khadaan, turned into a massive fan frenzy as hundreds of his ardent admirers flocked to Miraj Cinemas, Salt Lake, recently. The air was filled with chants of “Devda superstar!”, as the actor looking dapper made a grand entrance. The event was a star-studded affair, with the film’s cast and crew, including Dev, Jisshu Sengupta, Sneha Bose and Idhika Paul, gracing the occasion. Fans, who had been waiting for hours, were eager to catch a glimpse of their favourite actors. Some even brought personalised paintings as a token of their love and admiration.
Raja r raja and Haye re biye, songs from the film were shown, which received massive cheers from the packed hall. Directed by Soojit Dutta, Khadaan promises a thrilling action extravaganza. The pre-trailer opens with a captivating glimpse of Dev, his face etched with determination, against the backdrop of a sprawling coal mine. The scene quickly cuts to fast-paced action sequences, showcasing Dev’s character engaging in hand-to-hand combat and wielding heavy machinery with practised ease. The glimpses of action are interspersed with shots of dusty landscapes, smoky environments, and fleeting moments of romance, hinting at a multifaceted narrative.
Jisshu Sengupta also makes a prominent appearance in the pre-trailer, though the details of his character remain shrouded in mystery. The interplay between Dev and Jisshu’s characters promises an intriguing dynamic, potentially one that fuels the narrative or creates conflict. The pre-trailer effectively utilises sharp cuts, dynamic camerawork, and a pulsating soundtrack to create an atmosphere of suspense and anticipation.
It has been a success spree for Dev and he is leaving no stone unturned to promote Khadaan, a story that appealed to him in multiple ways. He told t2 in an exclusive chat, “Throughout the past month, the way the audience has showered love on Khadaan even before its release is very humbling. The world where Khadaan detonates felt something entirely new to me. The coal belt around the Damodar Valley... is our story, Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar... stories here are completely untouched. When Rino (Soojit) brought this story to me, the structure appealed to me. I visited the mines two to three times before starting the shoot.
“Now, there are some private mines, some public and there are several formalities too. But when I first went down a coal mine, I was awe-struck! I just knew that Khadaan is a huge film and Rino is a new director so it would be a lot on my shoulders. But the story and the world is so unexplored that I knew this film had to be made. It was a learning experience for me. I am very excited about the world that I wanted to bring on the big screen, through our songs, teasers, and finally, the film, and the audience can get closer to that world.”
Jisshu said, “I have done a lot of mass films in other languages too but I can say with confidence that Khadaan is going to be a groundbreaking one! In Bengali cinema, I am doing action after a long time. I believe this film can change the scene for Bengali mass films. My character is incredible. I am here for Christmas and will be promoting Khadaan.”
While addressing the crowd, Dev revealed that when Idhika was offered the film, she was more excited about seeing Dev in his old avatar than her own role. While speaking to t2, Idhika said, “Everyone who loves Devda is excited that he is coming back to mass action films with Khadaan. It is a big deal to present yourself while working alongside such big actors so a lot of preparation went into it. Khadaan has what we call ‘chomok’ in Bengali and I can’t wait for the audience to enjoy the film!” Khadaan promises to be a high-octane action thriller, with Dev delivering a powerful performance. The film is slated to release in theatres on December 20.
