Actor-politician Dev has come out in strong support of his long-time co-star and friend Koel Mallick after the actress faced trolling following the announcement of her nomination as a candidate for the Rajya Sabha by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Speaking to the media during the 75-day celebration event of his recent release Projapoti 2 at Binodini Theatre, Dev addressed questions about Koel’s entry into politics and the criticism she has been facing online.
The actor, who himself transitioned from films to politics when he became a Member of Parliament, emphasised that Koel deserves time and space to prove herself. Calling her one of his closest friends, Dev revealed that he had already congratulated her during a stage show where the two recently performed together.
“Koel is a very close friend of mine. I wished her on stage when we performed together. She is a fantastic human being and people like her should be more in politics,” Dev said.
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Dev and Koel Mallick during a recent stage performance where the longtime collaborators reunited shortly before Koel’s entry into politics. Video Courtesy: Tollywood Online
The two actors share a long professional history and have worked together in several Bengali films, including Rangbaaz. Dev recalled that he was shooting for Rangbaaz when he first entered politics, drawing a parallel between his own experience and what Koel might face now.
Reflecting on the backlash she has been receiving online, Dev urged people not to judge her too quickly. “Let us not be judgemental about her and give her time to prove herself,” he said. “The same thing happened to me when I joined politics. People trolled me and said my career would be over.”
According to Dev, balancing public service with a film career is not easy and requires constant effort. “This is not an easy game. It is not a one-day job. I have to prove myself as an actor and as a politician every single day,” he added.
The actor further pointed out that Koel’s nomination is both a personal decision and a political one taken by the party leadership. “TMC as a party has taken a decision and Koel has accepted it. We should give her the opportunity to show what she can do,” Dev said.
Koel Mallick’s potential entry into parliamentary politics has sparked significant discussion across social media and the Bengali film industry. While some have welcomed the move, others have questioned celebrities stepping into political roles. Dev’s remarks, however, highlight a perspective from someone who has navigated both worlds and understands the challenges that come with the transition.
As the conversation around celebrity participation in politics continues, Dev’s message remained clear — Koel Mallick, like any newcomer in public life, should be given the time and space to prove her capabilities.
