About four years ago, news broke that Dev would portray the character of Raghu Dakat on screen. Since then, fans have eagerly waited to see him in this iconic role. However, due to various reasons, the film’s shooting kept getting delayed, leaving fans disappointed. But now, all hurdles have been cleared, and the shooting for Dhruva Banerjee’s film is finally set to begin. The movie is being jointly produced by Dev Entertainment Ventures and SVF.
Recently, the cast was announced, and the auspicious ceremony for the film took place on Basant Panchami. Since then, Dev has begun intense preparation for the role of Raghu Dakat. He has dived into training rigorously and is currently learning horse riding. The Tollywood superstar shared pictures of his training on social media, which have received an outpouring of praise and good wishes from fans.
Following the success of Kadam, the much-loved on-screen duo of Dev and Idhika Pal will reunite. Sohini Sarkar will also play a significant role, marking her first collaboration with Dev. Additionally, Anirban Bhattacharya is set to appear in the film, rumored to play the antagonist in this much-anticipated project.
Raghu Dakat: The People’s Messiah of 18th Century Bengal
In the 18th century, Raghu Dakat emerged as a messiah for the common people of Bengal, standing up against injustice and oppression. He remains etched in the hearts of Bengalis to this day. Dev, who is set to portray this larger-than-life character, has promised to deliver his finest performance. The actor, who previously played Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari on screen, is highly optimistic about this new role.
Following the box-office success of Golondaaj, Dev is collaborating once again with director Dhruva Banerjee, raising audience expectations to new heights.
Raghu Dakat’s name is often associated with Maa Kali, as he was a devout worshiper of the goddess. It is said that he performed rituals and offered prayers to Kali before setting out on his expeditions. Numerous stories and legends revolve around Raghu Dakat, fueling an enduring curiosity among Bengalis, who regard him as a figure shrouded in mystery.
According to popular belief, there was once a Dakait Kali Temple in Basudevpur village of Mogra, Hooghly district, commonly referred to as Raghu Dakat’s temple.
It is often said that even the British feared Raghu Dakat. He would loot oppressive landlords and distribute the wealth among the poor. Stories of temples established by Raghu Dakat can be heard not only in Hooghly but also in Murshidabad, Burdwan, and other regions. Though there is no concrete evidence to support these claims, these tales have been passed down through generations, firmly establishing Raghu Dakat as a legendary figure of Bengal.
Dev not only has to learn horse riding but also weapon handling for the movie Raghu Dakat. In the poster and during the launch event, Dev was seen holding a kharga (traditional sword).
Dhrubo Banerjee has repeatedly expressed his keen interest in working on period dramas. Additionally, he loves creating films for children. His previous movies, such as Golondaaj and Durgeshgorer Guptodhon, were crafted keeping young audiences in mind.
It will be interesting to see how Dhrubo’s approach resonates with children this time!
