On a September evening, Netaji Indoor Stadium transformed into Bengal’s grandest cinema carnival, as 12,000 people gathered for the trailer launch of Raghu Dakat — an event that also marked 20 years of Dev in the industry. It was not just a launch but a spectacle, a ticketed celebration where every rupee of proceeds went into the Technicians’ Welfare Fund, honouring the unseen backbone of cinema: the DOPs, cameramen, lightmen, and crew who make the magic possible.
The evening opened with a dazzling laser show, a DJ set lit up the stadium with spectators wearing masks of Dev filling up the stadium. The energy surged further when musicians Nilayan Chatterjee and Rathijit Bhattacharjee took centre stage with a stirring musical tribute, retracing the milestones of Dev’s two-decade-long journey.
The atmosphere swelled with emotion as Prosenjit Chatterjee, who is also awaiting the release of Devi Chowdhurani this Durga Puja, joined the stage. His words — a blend of pride and warmth — hailed Dev’s achievements and welcomed the current cinematic situation of Bengal as the beginning of a new cinematic chapter.
The evening unfolded like a seamless narrative. Nilayan, Rathijit, Shreya, Shuchismita and Ishan performed a special Raghu Dakat musical and other hits of Dev. Then came the heartbeats of cinema’s glamour. Dev made his explosive entry dancing to Raghu raghu, the title track of Raghu Dakat, the stadium roaring in unison. He followed it with a power-packed Joy kaali before inviting Idhika Paul on stage for a fiery rendition of Jhilmil lage re. Dressed in a glittering red gown, Idhika’s elegance balanced Dev’s dynamism.
The nostalgia deepened as Nussrat Jahan joined him for Mon boleche amar, shimmering in a black sequinned two-piece set. Srabanti Chatterjee followed, wrapped in a red-and-pink sari that evoked the poster of Shedin Dekha Hoyechilo, as the two shared a soft, graceful dance to its title track. Puja Banerjee then turned up the heat in a golden-and-red slit gown for Police chorer preme poreche, while Sayantika Banerjee and Dev relived their foot-tapping hit Party shoes.
The highlight came when all five leading ladies joined forces on stage for Dhitang dhitang, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Each of them paused to share affectionate words about Dev, recalling his humility and camaraderie both on and off screen.
But the loudest cheer of the evening erupted when Koel Mallick made her entry in a sweeping red gown, complete with a princess-like bow. The nostalgia peaked as the duo recreated their iconic numbers: Paglu, Rimjhim e dhara te and Mon mane na. Their embrace on stage was tender and genuine, a reunion soaked in memory. “I can’t imagine 20 years have just flown by,” Dev said, visibly moved. “Koel is not only a co-star, but also my gossip partner, a true friend who’s always one call away.” Koel responded with equal warmth: “It feels like we just did Premer Kahini, but here we are, two decades later. We’re all so proud of you, Dev, and how far you’ve come.”
The evening wasn’t only about nostalgia but also about those who shaped Dev’s career. Kamaleswar Mukherjee (Chander Pahar), Rahool Mukherjee (Kishmish), Raja Chanda (Challenge 2), Soojit Rino Dutta (Khadaan) and Dhrubo Banerjee (Golondaaj, Raghu Dakat) each came on stage, performing to Dev’s hit songs before the actor himself joined them for a rousing Bhojo gourago.
Adding a touch of wit and warmth, Srijit Mukherji — in a deep indigo kurta and white dhoti — steered an on-stage adda with Dev and producers Shrikant Mohta, Mahendra Soni, Ashok Dhanuka, Nispal Singh and Atanu Raychaudhuri. Their banter was a blend of humour, nostalgia and deep respect.
Mumbai, friends and family added layers of intimacy, but the most moving moment arrived when Dev’s parents, his sister and his two beloved dogs, Happy and Lucky, joined him on stage. Tears welled in his eyes as he turned to them.
“People say I’m grounded — it’s because of my parents,” he said, voice cracking. “They taught me respect, they taught me how to be a good human being. This evening is not mine alone, it belongs to everyone who has walked with me over these 20 years — my parents, my sister, my childhood friends, my directors, producers, co-stars, my audience and of course the technicians who make cinema possible. You can run fast alone, but when you run with a group, with a team, you go much further. Today, people have bought tickets not to watch a film, but to watch a trailer. And all that money will go to the technicians — the DOPs, the camera attendants, the spot boys, the sound engineers, the lightmen, the make-up artists, the people who are always there but rarely known. On a set of 350 people, you might know three or four, but there are hundreds who remain invisible. This evening, this celebration, is for them. Today, looking back, I can only say thank you. Thank you for walking with me. Thank you for making me who I am. And I promise — this is just the beginning. The best is yet to come.”
As the clock ticked towards the finale, Dev cut a grand 20-year anniversary cake, flanked by his co-stars, directors, family and friends. Then came the moment everyone had waited for: the grand unveiling of the Raghu Dakat trailer.
The stadium shook with chants of “Raghu! Raghu!” as the screen came alive with the fierce saga of Bengal’s legendary rebel, featuring Dev in a power-packed avatar alongside Anirban Bhattacharya, Roopa Ganguly, Sohini Sarkar, Idhika Paul and Om Sahani. The trailer closed to a standing ovation, sealing its place as a Puja phenomenon in the making.
Director Dhrubo Banerjee summed it best: “Raghu Dakat is Bengal’s story of rebellion, resilience and love. To unveil its trailer while celebrating Dev’s 20 years makes this doubly historic. It is not just a film, it is an emotion.”
And so the evening ended not with silence but with the echo of cheers, tears and promises — an evening where cinema celebrated not just a star, but also the people behind the lights, the music and the magic.