If you grew up watching Tollywood you’ve seen “Dev Adhikari” transform right before your eyes. He started out flexing muscles and dancing in grand dream sequences but somewhere along the line he quietly turned into one of modern Bengal’s finest storytellers. There is a reason millions of fans tune in to watch him standardise wholesome family-driven cinema. If you’ve been scrolling endlessly through streaming catalogues and wondering what to put on next, you’ve landed on the right page. We are breaking down 6 unforgettable performances that prove why he rules the box office, all ready for your next binge on Zee 5.
Looking for the Best Bangla Movies to add to your watchlist this weekend? Start with these incredible titles featuring the superstar himself.
1. Projapati 2 (2025)
Building on the massive success of its predecessor this spiritual follow-up brings director – Avijit Sen and the powerhouse lead duo back for another deeply emotional ride. This time around – Gour Chakraborty (played with immense warmth by Mithun Chakraborty) carries a single wish – to see his widowed son Joy (Dev Adhikari) remarry and find happiness again.
Joy finds himself caught in a complex web juggling his passion for cooking; raising his young daughter Mimmim (Anumegha Kahali) caring for aging parents and chasing his personal dreams. Featuring key performances by – Jyotirmoyee Kundu as Madhu and Aparajita Auddy as Babi, “Projapati 2” delivers a touching narrative about second chances; fatherhood and resilience.
2. Dhumketu (2025)
Directed by – Kaushik Ganguly, this intensely gripping tale shifts away from light hearted family dynamics into raw; gritty emotional territory. The narrative follows Bhanu – a young man raised in harsh poverty whose deep affection for Rupa offers a temporary ray of hope. However, stark social class divides rip their world apart forcing Bhanu onto a dark trajectory defined by grief; hardship and survival.
Dev delivers one of his most intense transformations to date playing Bhanu Singha (also appearing as Indranath Khasbonis) starring opposite – Subhashree Ganguly as Rupa and Rudranil Ghosh as Jogesh Chandra Sharma. For fans who want to see their favourite star take on a brooding; complex character study, “Dhumketu” is an absolute standout on Zee 5.
3. Tonic (2022)
There is something deeply comforting about a film that reminds you to live before it’s too late. Directed by – Avijit Sen, this heartwarming drama introduces us to an elderly couple trying to plan a special trip for their 75th wedding anniversary only to be met with constant restrictions from their overly cautious family. Enter Tonic – a bubbly; free-spirited travel agent who steps in to inject pure energy into their quiet lives.
Dev brings a refreshing charm to the title role pairing beautifully alongside veteran actor Paran Banerjee as Jaladhar Sen – Shakuntala Barua as his wife Uma and Koneenica Banerjee as Rani. If you want a quick pick-me-up that leaves you smiling through tears, you can catch “Tonic” on FREE5 right away.
4. Projapati (2022)
Few on-screen pairings have matched the magnetic presence of Dev Adhikari and legendary actor Mithun Chakraborty. In this 2022 hit helmed by – Avijit Sen, we meet Gour – a 65-year-old widower whose sole goal in life is to see his son Joy get settled. Ironically, Joy is a hyper-busy wedding planner who has zero time to plan his own romance. The film hits every emotional beat as it explores generational gaps; unspoken affection and the beauty of finding love later in life.
Packed with stellar acts by – Shweta Bhattacharya as Mala – Mamata Shankar as Kusum and Koneenica Banerjee playing Gour’s daughter, “Projapati” stands tall among the best Bengali movies you can stream with your family on Zee 5.
5. Sanjhbati (2019)
If you want to see an actor shed all stardom and surrender completely to a character, this 2019 gem directed by the dynamic duo – Leena Gangopadhyay and Saibal Banerjee is required viewing. “Sanjhbati” tackles the painful reality of elderly isolation through the life of Sulekha – a cranky; lonely old woman brought to life by veteran actress – Lily Chakravarty. When a simple kind-hearted young man named Chandu gets hired to look after her, sparks fly initially before giving way to a deep and unbreakable bond.
Dev turns in an extraordinarily subtle; vulnerable performance as Chandu, playing off a brilliant supporting team that includes – Soumitra Chatterjee and – Paoli Dam as Phuli. It easily ranks high among the best Bengali movies available on Zee 5 for anyone who values grounded, human-centric storytelling.
6.Kidnap (2019)
Need a burst of suspense and thrilling action? Director – Raja Chanda delivers a high -stakes ride with this 2019 story. When a fearless photojournalist accidentally uncovers illegal operations running out of a local pub, she finds herself targeted by a dangerous syndicate. Her only line of defence is a soft-spoken pub singer who risks everything to keep her alive.
Dev leads the charge with high-energy fight sequences and emotional grit; sharing undeniable on-screen chemistry with – Rukmini Maitra as Meghna along with solid performances by – Chandan Sen as Tapas and Kamaleshwar Mukherjee. If you’re building a list of the best Bengali movies to watch for a late-night thrill on Zee 5, “Kidnap” delivers top-tier entertainment from start to finish.
A superstar’s evolution from mass action hero to versatile actor is a journey worth celebrating. Whether you are in the mood for a light comedy on FREE5; a heart-wrenching drama about family bonds or an edge-of-your-seat thriller, these 6 movies showcase his incredible range. So don’t wait, subscribe to Zee 5 and dive into some of the finest stories Tollywood has to offer.
