Dev on stardom: The content has to be good. Stars can only add value to it

The actor opens up on the ongoing debate if the stardom is over

Dev

Along with RRR, The Kashmir Files, and other films, Dev and Paran Bandyopadhyay’s Tonic is selected in Indian Panorama at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The festival that will begin on November 20 in Goa will also feature Arindam Sil’s Mahananda which features Gargee RoyChowdhury.

Dev is clearly elated with the entry. In a chat with OTTPlay, he opens up about his excitement. “It is fantastic news for the Bengali film industry. Tonic is selected in the Mainstream Cinema Section with RRR and The Kashmir Files. Both films did very well at the box Office. Our film making a space there is really exciting,” he says.

Dev clearly states that the idea of regional films is not there anymore in India. “There is nothing called a Bengali or a Malayalam film anymore. We all are part of pan-Indian cinema. With OTT platforms and the changing palate of our audience, all the films are being viewed, and in certain cases, appreciated by people all over the country. The content has to be good,” he says.

Meanwhile, the actor also talks about stardom and its importance. When asked if stardom is being replaced by content, he says that it is a global phenomenon. “This is the case in Bollywood and even in Hollywood. A film will not only be saved by a star. The content has to be good. And a star can add value to that,” says Dev.

He takes the example of Ranbir Singh and Ranveer Kapoor and points out that their films succeed only when the films are good. “A star will give a film a bigger reach. For example, Ranbir Kapoor’s Sanju or Ranveer Singh’s films by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The films are good and hence, their star power helped in their success. Only stardom cannot save a film but today’s audiences want a good story. Think about RRR or Pushpa. Both have stars and both present very good stories. Together it works perfectly. Also, we need to remember, all the hit films are not essentially good films and all the good films are not necessarily hit films. We will have to remember that,” the actor signs off.

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