'I want to thank the audience because...,' says Dev basking in Projapati success

The film, which was released on Dec 23 just ahead of Christmas, has already earned more than Rs. five crore in the box office.

Speaking on the benchmark the film intends to create, Dev told India Blooms, "Films, which are able to draw the audience, are a hit. Projapati is a success in that respect.

"A lot of people have interest in watching this film and they are also recommending it to others. Nothing can be better than this feeling."

The film was caught in the middle of controversies after it found no screening in West Bengal film centre Nandan.

The row further escalated when ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Kunal Ghosh had criticised Chakraborty's performance in the film.

On this, 40-year-old Dev, who is also a TMC MP, said at Projapati's special screening in the city on Wednesday, "I want to thank the audience because the film is made for them and not for people who stir controversies and do online trolling.

"We make films for people who spend money to watch a film. I promise to the audience to carry on with our love for films."

When questions were raised from some quarters that Projapati found no place in Nandan as it features Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s potential Chief Ministerial face Mithun Chakraborty, Dev's response was crystal clear.

"I have never mixed films and politics. I felt Mithun Chakraborty would be ideal for this role so I had roped in. I will cast him even in future if I feel he is suitable for a role," the superstar had said earlier.

Projapati, a family entertainer loaded with humour and emotions, also stars veteran Mamata Shankar, senior actor Koneenica Banerjee and debutant Sweta Bhattacharya in the lead.