TMC’s Tollywood Brigade Falls Silent Amid Political Turmoil. From Dev and Saayoni Ghosh to Rachana Banerjee, Bengal’s Star Campaigners Have Gone Quiet
For years, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bengal’s entertainment industry shared a close and highly visible partnership. Popular actors, television personalities, singers, and sportspersons regularly appeared alongside Mamata Banerjee at rallies, roadshows, and public events, helping the party build a strong connection with voters.
Today, however, many of those familiar faces appear to be missing from the political stage.
As the TMC grapples with electoral setbacks and internal challenges, several celebrity politicians who once enthusiastically campaigned for the party have largely remained silent, raising questions about the future of Bengal’s celebrity-driven politics.
The Rise of TMC’s Star Brigade
Over the years, Mamata Banerjee successfully brought some of Bengal’s biggest entertainment personalities into active politics. Among the most recognizable names were actor-MP Deepak Adhikari (Dev), former MPs Mimi Chakraborty and Nusrat Jahan, actress-politicians Sayantika Banerjee, Saayoni Ghosh, Rachana Banerjee, June Malia, Koushani Mukherjee, Lovely Maitra, and actor-director Raj Chakraborty.
Veteran cultural figures such as Satabdi Roy, Moon Moon Sen, Sandhya Roy, Indranil Sen, and the late Tapas Paul also played significant roles in strengthening the party’s connection with Bengal’s cultural landscape.
Beyond Tollywood, the party attracted prominent personalities including singer-politician Babul Supriyo, former Indian cricketers Yusuf Pathan, Kirti Azad, and Manoj Tiwari, creating one of the most star-studded political line-ups in the country.
Once Vocal, Now Silent
Many of these celebrities were among the party’s most energetic campaigners. Whether it was television debates, election rallies, social media campaigns, or public meetings, they often acted as the party’s most visible defenders.
Among them, Saayoni Ghosh emerged as one of the most vocal political faces of the TMC in recent years. Similarly, Dev, Rachana Banerjee, and Babul Supriyo actively participated in election campaigns across multiple districts ahead of the Assembly elections.
However, following recent political developments, many of these personalities have largely avoided public comment on the party’s ongoing challenges. Their silence has become a major talking point in Bengal’s political circles.
Electoral Defeats Changed the Equation
The recent electoral battle proved particularly difficult for several celebrity candidates associated with the party.
Prominent names such as Raj Chakraborty, Soham Chakraborty, Sayantika Banerjee, Lovely Maitra, and Shreya Pande reportedly faced disappointing results, highlighting the limitations of celebrity appeal in a highly competitive political environment.
The setbacks extended beyond actors to cultural and political figures such as Indranil Sen, Aditi Munshi, Birbaha Hansda, and Arpita Ghosh, many of whom had become recognizable faces within the party structure.
Distancing Themselves from Controversy?
Political analysts believe several factors may be contributing to the growing distance between celebrities and active politics.
Public figures often rely on broad public support and may be reluctant to become involved in political controversies that could affect their professional careers. With social media amplifying every political statement, many celebrities appear to be choosing caution over confrontation.
There have also been reports of some personalities reassessing their political future. Former cricketer Manoj Tiwari has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with sections of the party leadership, while actor-director Parambrata Chatterjee, who had previously campaigned for TMC candidates, has also found himself at the centre of political discussions in recent years.
Meanwhile, Dev, one of the party’s most popular faces, has maintained a relatively low political profile despite continued public interest in his future plans.
The End of Celebrity Politics?
While celebrity influence remains significant, recent developments suggest that Bengal’s political landscape may be evolving. Voters are increasingly focusing on governance, development, and political leadership rather than star power alone.
That does not mean the relationship between politics and entertainment is over. West Bengal has a long tradition of artists and cultural icons participating in public life, and future elections could once again see celebrities playing an important role.
Conclusion
The absence of the TMC’s once-powerful Tollywood brigade reflects the changing realities of West Bengal politics. From Dev, Saayoni Ghosh, and Rachana Banerjee to Raj Chakraborty, Babul Supriyo, and Manoj Tiwari, many of the personalities who once dominated campaign stages have become noticeably quieter.
Whether their silence is temporary or signals a deeper shift in Bengal’s political culture remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the political stage that once glittered with celebrity presence now looks remarkably different.
