Exclusive! Raj Chakraborty: Political views have no clash with professional work

It looks like Friendship in Tollywood might be the major casualty during this election. However,
age-old friends, director-turned-Trinamool candidate Raj Chakrabarty and actor-turned-BJP candidate Rudranil Ghosh, insist they won’t have any problem working professionally with political opponents. But the glittery after-parties in Tollywood, the good food and music with close ones, where actor-director Parambrata Chatterjee was often spotted singing and sharing a joke with Rudranil, might suffer a blow.

Last year Rudranil had directed a commercial with Kanchan Mullick playing the lead and it gained huge popularity. But after the 2021 elections, in which the two are contesting from two rival political parties, will Rudranil work with Kanchan in the future?
“I have no problem. Political views have no clash with professional work,” shares Rudranil. In fact, Raj Chakraborty was the first one to congratulate Rudranil when his name was declared as a poll contestant. “On the micro-blogging site, I also wished Srabanti and Tanushree, when their names were announced. They are my industry colleagues. Why wouldn’t I wish them?” Raj said adding that: “There will be fights on the political platform. On the professional field, I will cast actors, based on their merit, not their belief.”
But for some, the camaraderie won’t be the same as before. Actor Anirban Bhattacharya is well aware of the challenges. “Polarisation has happened. We have to continue negotiating with the turmoil,” he said. After the video of ‘Nijeder Mote Nijeder Gaan’ went viral, can he be friends with Rudranil? “There is no bar on adda. But it is a critical scene. Rudra da and others are now at the forefront of partisan politics. There is a difference between supporting an ideology and becoming a party worker, which comes with a lot of compulsions. Our behavior will be restricted,” he said, admitting it was “slightly problematic” to expect one to leave aside one’s political beliefs and still be friends.