Fans are my driving force: Dev Kharoud

Sheetal 

Many know Dev Kharoud from the Rupinder Gandhi series and that role of a goon has been associated with him ever since.  Dev is riding high on the success of two of his movies, Kaka Ji and Blackia, released this year. These two films have helped Dev in shaking off the image of a man dwelling in the grey zone. Now, he is all set to wow the audience by playing a man in the uniform in DSP Dev. 

Negative is fine

Although negative, Dev enjoys playing a character that has many layers. Has he played a role that is completely dark? Dev says, “I will play a role in upcoming Shareek 2 that will portray me as a villain and this is the role that I asked for in the first place. That is how much I wanted to do it. The role is somewhat similar to what Shah Rukh Khan portrayed in the movie Darr. 

And playing a character as complex as this one does make an impact on him.  He quips, “All these roles we live on screen, leave a mark in some way or the other. The character that stayed with me for the longest was that of Parminder Gandhi. ”

Comic timing

Very few are aware that he has worked with Binnu Dhillon and other Punjabi actors known for their comic timing during the initial phase of his career. Dev confirms, “In the movie DSP Dev, my character is chulbula and have a sense of humour.”

Dream role

“Well, that would be some sort of a powerful cameo which leaves a lasting impact on audience. I have my personal favourite on this one, Sunny paaji’s role in the movie Damini where he played a lawyer,” he says.

Game for action?  

“As long as action is demanded by the public, movies will continue to be made on such topics. I am trying to do films with a social message. DSP Dev will exhibit the true situation being faced in many villages of Punjab where drugs and hooliganism are prevalent and police is not being able to do anything. For this movie, I also had to shed weight that I gained for my previous movie, Blackiya. Whatever role I do, it is challenging and demands hard work and commitment and my fans are the driving force behind the work I am producing.”

The tormentor 

Bollywood actor Manav Vij, who is known for films like Andhadhun, Phillauri and Udta Punjab, plays the antagonist in DSP Dev. 

About playing opposite Dev, he adds, “In the poster, as well as in the film DSP Dev, you will see Dev and me locking horns with each other, but in real life, we have become good friends and this bonding comes from the respect we have for each other. I loved to be a part of this movie and deep down the Punjabi film industry is becoming more and more content driven.

Manav prefers to do positive roles, but feels strongly that one needs to evolve. He says, “I left television for the reason that I wanted to bring versatility to my acting.” 

Was acting something that he wanted to do since childhood? To our surprise, “I was practising doctor of homeopathy which I left to pursue acting.”  

Manav is married to Meher Vij, who is also an actress. He adds, “Having an actress wife is helpful for she understands me and my transformation for any role.”

What other projects this year? “There are two movies set to release in September — Laal Kaptaan, starring Saif Ali Khan in the lead, and another untitled film,” he says.