Dev cools off on the sets of Challenge 2

The Challenge team of Dev and Raj Chakraborty is back on the floors for Challenge 2. But instead of lead actor and director, Dev and Raj are co-stars in this film! The director’s baton has passed to Le Halwa Le maker Raja Chanda. Challenge 2 will be an action-packed father-son story with Dev and Pooja, who debuted with Macho Mustanaa in March.

Raja Chanda (centre) explains a scene to Dev and Biswanath. Pictures by Sanjoy Chattopadhyaya

“I play Abhiraj, an undercover cop. It’s my first cop act and I’m excited. But basically Challenge 2 is a father-son story. Tapasda (Pal) plays my father. Having Raj as a co-star was nice and we kept talking about Challenge. We were both nostalgic,” said Dev, who considers Challenge to be one of the “most important” films of his career. “Challenge was Raj’s second film and my fourth and it was a super-duper hit. It’s special for both of us.”

“I think because Challenge was such a huge hit, Shrikantda (Mohta of Shree Venkatesh Films) thought of associating me with Challenge 2 in some way. Of course when I heard that Challenge 2 was happening, I had expected to direct it since people still remember me as the maker of Challenge. But Raja is a dear friend and I have complete faith in him. I’m sure he will do a better job than me,” said Raj, who has a guest appearance.

Dev with Raj Chakraborty and Kharaj Mukherjee

“I play myself, a film director. He is hot-headed and very strict on the sets. There’s a lot of similarity with me,” laughed Raj, who has also done a cameo in Srijit Mukherji’s Hemlock Society. “These are the only two films I have acted in and I won’t do any more. I like my job as a director, acting makes me nervous,” said he. The team was shooting at Bally House in Bally. Challenge 2 director Raja is happy about having Raj on board. “Raj has done a fantastic job.... I am aware that Challenge was a huge hit but that doesn’t make me nervous. I am sure Challenge 2 too will be a super hit. Despite the name, Challenge 2 is a very different film from Challenge,” he said.