Showing posts with label Duranga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Duranga. Show all posts
I never imagined that Janhvi Kapoor and I would be paired together as we have different sensibilities-Gulshan Devaiah
8:11 AM
Ulajh actor Gulshan Devaiah, who never expected to work with Janhvi Kapoor because of their different sensibilities, says he is impressed by her hard work
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 16, 2023)
There is a flip-side to a successful first season—it raises the audience’s expectations from the subsequent edition. Gulshan Devaiah will agree. The actor, who is gearing up for the release of the second season of Duranga, admits he was as nervous as he was excited about it.
“This is the first time that [my show] has got a second season, so I was happy. [But] I didn’t want to be complacent, which is good, because it made me pull up my socks,” he says.
What made the ZEE5 crime drama all the more special was that it reunited him with director Rohan Sippy.
“He gave me one of my first opportunities in Dum Maaro Dum [2011]. So, it was nice to come back to him 12 years later as his leading man.” The actor also considers himself lucky to have found good co-stars in Drashti Dhami, Barkha Bisht and Amit Sadh.
Good co-stars are a boon to an actor’s pursuit of excellence. Devaiah found that in his Ulajh co-star Janhvi Kapoor as well. From believing that they will never share screen space, to being deeply impressed by her, it has been quite a ride for the actor.
He shares, “I briefly met Janhvi during the promotions for Ghost Stories [2020] and found her funny. That’s a good first impression one can have of anyone. I never imagined that we would be paired together in a film because we have different sensibilities. Whenever two people with contrasting styles come together, it can be interesting. When we met, she mentioned a few nice observations about my character. She is extremely hardworking. I couldn’t do the amount of things that she does in a week.”
I told Mihir Lath, ‘I don’t want to delay your career. Please make the film with somebody else’-Amit Sadh
8:34 AM
Amit, who plays a photographer in refugee crisis drama Ghuspaith, reveals how director shared references from Pulitzer-winning photojournalist Danish Siddiqui’s life
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 27, 2023)
When Ghuspaith: Between Borders first came his way, Amit Sadh turned it down as he was busy shooting for the second season of Breathe: Into the Shadows. But writer-director Mihir Lath was certain that he would make the short film—inspired by two-time Pulitzer-winning photojournalist, the late Danish Siddiqui’s coverage of the 2015 Rohingya refugee crisis—only with the actor.
“After cancelling on Mihir twice, I told him, ‘I don’t want to delay your career. Please make the film with somebody else.’ But after Mihir waited a couple of months for me, I felt obligated to say yes. I’m a huge fan of independent cinema and short movies; they enrich the film industry. I did it for the love of cinema and shorts. When I saw Mihir’s enthusiasm and the story’s uniqueness, I wanted to support him,” smiles Sadh.
Through Sadh’s photojournalist character Manav, Ghuspaith explores themes of refugee crisis and human trafficking. While the actor prepped intensely for the role, he credits Lath’s detailed script for guiding him all along.
“In a short film, the story and script [set the path] for you. Mihir always shared notes and references from Danish’s life. The story has become more meaningful now that we have dedicated it to Danish.”
The short will be screened at the JioCinema Film Festival on October 6.
Sadh may not be seen on screen too frequently, but give him a complex character and he can’t resist the temptation of bringing it alive. Ghuspaith and his next, the second season of Duranga, deliver on that count.
“In Duranga 2, I play a psychopath for the first time. I am trying to push the envelope. I don’t want to become a boring actor who lacks courage and wants to do the same thing again and again.”
I want to direct an action film someday-Gulshan Devaiah
8:19 AM
Gulshan, who is seen in a grey role in 'Duranga', on the joy of playing eccentric characters and his directorial aspirations
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; August 23, 2022)
After toying with fashion, Gulshan Devaiah quit the field to experiment with acting. It has been a thrilling ride since then. He doesn’t know what the future holds, but he is enjoying the present, relishing the diverse roles. If ZEE5’s 'Duranga' sees him essay the role of a serial killer, he plays a strait-laced teacher in MX Player’s Shiksha Mandal. In a conversation with mid-day, Devaiah talks about his eccentric tag, his future plans, and playing the good guy for a change.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
You don’t fit into the regular mould of an actor, going by your projects. Has it been a conscious decision to keep surprising yourself?
I am conscious of what I don’t want to do. [The idea is] to keep trying different roles. If I am true to myself, I will keep trying new things until I feel like I am done.
Do you think there will be a day when you’ll feel like you are done?
Most definitely. When I was doing theatre and realized one day that I was not having fun anymore, I stopped. There is a strong possibility of that happening [laughs].
Do you feel typecast in eccentric roles?
You end up getting similar offers after a project. After 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota' [2018], I was often offered quirky characters, and villainous roles after 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela' [2013]. But it is up to me whether I wish to take it up or not.
What was your approach to the role in Duranga?
I found the character intriguing because I didn’t know how to play it. Then I discussed some ideas with the directors [Pradeep Sarkar and Aijaz Khan] and Goldie [Behl, showrunner]. Once they gave me the go-ahead, it felt like a good idea.
Were you surprised watching yourself in the series?
I haven’t watched it yet, but mostly it is terrifying to see yourself on screen. I enjoy as well as don’t enjoy watching myself. It is quite exciting to see the character unfold the way you have envisioned it. [But at the same time], it is impossible not to be critical of your own performances. I try not to be too hard on myself.
A similar character was attempted in Ek Villain. How different is Duranga?
I have no idea about Ek Villain [2014] since I haven’t watched it. Duranga is an adaptation of the Korean show, Flower Of Evil, which has been sufficiently changed to suit the Indian psyche. It is an exciting and entertaining thriller.
The show has a twisted theme. How dark is too dark for you?
Of late, I haven’t watched any content that is too dark [laughs]. We’ve emerged from the light-hearted [content] and can explore slightly darker concepts. Having said that, I don’t think 'Duranga' is dark. It is a thriller and has some psychological elements.
After playing eccentric characters in your projects, how different is it to play an all-white part in Shiksha Mandal?
In the show, I play a teacher, which is something I have done briefly. I took my job seriously and enjoyed it. I believe I was quite good at it, my students said so. So, I connected [with the role]. It is about a regular person who has to deal with unpleasant circumstances. It was a nice change for me to play the good guy.
What did you teach?
I have graduated in fashion. So, I used to briefly teach fashion for two to three years. I enjoyed it, then I started to not give a s**t about my classes. I started showing up unprepared for classes. That’s when I decided that it was time to quit because it was not fun anymore.
If you had to make another career switch, what would that be?
I haven’t thought of it. Maybe I will try to tell a story or direct a film, or maybe go back to fashion. Some people have suggested direction, but I don’t know if they were serious or making fun of me based on all the suggestions I keep giving directors [laughs]. I do have some far-fetched ideas, but I am not ready [for direction]. I want to direct an action film someday, but I want to do it without using any of the usual tropes. I want to approach it like a drama.
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