The upcoming horror-comedy film Chudail is gearing up to terrify and entertain audiences with a unique blend of music, rivalry and supernatural elements. With Sunny Leone in the titular role, and Mandana Karimi playing her adversary, the film’s cast also includes Southern star comedian Brahmanandam, Sunil Verma (the antagonist in Pushpa), Rahul Dev and Dev Gill.

Produced by Mahendra Dhariwal along with Rocky Sandhu (it is his landmark 50th film) and Paramveer Sandhu and directed by T L V Prasad, Chudail  marks a grand return to the supernatural genre for its lead star cast.

“My 1997 film of the same name was a super-duper hit, so we renamed ‘Lucky’ to ‘Chudail,’. Further with horror films trending nowadays, the release is perfectly timed,” Dhariwal justified the reason for change in title. 

“The core plot of Chudail revolves around an intense professional conflict. Both Sunny Leone and Mandana Karimi portray singers in the film who are fierce and uncompromising competitors,” reveals Dhariwal adding that the conflict is pushed to its limits.

To capture the eerie, larger-than-life atmosphere required for a supernatural thriller, he emphasizes, “The film has a Royal Backdrop in Uttar Pradesh and Haveli setting as it is almost entirely shot in a colossal, authentic royal palace in Bulandshahr.”

“This horror-comedy features a total of five distinct songs meticulously woven into the narrative. The absolute highlight of the soundtrack is a specific, bone-chilling recurring ‘haunted song’. Instead of playing just once, this signature track is strategically split across the narrative,” Dhariwal mentioned.

Revealing that Zee Music Company has acquired the music rights, he said, “While the recurring haunted anthem brings the chills, the remaining four tracks are designed as soft, soaring romantic songs to balance out the horror.”

The highly anticipated horror-comedy Chudail is currently on track for a grand theatrical release by September-end.

The decision to release the film by late September is highly strategic. Recognizing a major shift in audience preferences, the producer notes, “It is the trend of horror films nowadays, and hence its timely release.”

Looking beyond the horror genre, Mahendra Dhariwal along with Rocky Sandhu and Paramveer Sandhu is mounting the most ambitious project of his career, titled Mahadev Ki Mahima.

“Setting a new benchmark for Indian cinema, this mythological venture will be driven by advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with big artist dubbing that is visualized on a grand scale with a staggering budget of Rs. 150 Crores,” he conveyed.

Adding to his high-octane lineup, Dhariwal also confirmed that ‘Maa Tujhhe Salaam 2’ is in the pipeline, “Following the massive action-patriotic legacy of the original 2002 hit, this sequel is being designed to bring high-stakes drama back to the silver screen.”

Imagine Sunny Leone haunting you as a ghost. Does the idea scare you? Well, that’s what writer and director T L V Prasad is going for with his horror comedy, Chudail, which sees Leone in the titular role. The actor recently wrapped up filming in Uttar Pradesh.

So, what’s Chudail all about? Also starring Rahul Dev and Mandana Karimi, the horror comedy is along the lines of the blockbuster Stree, which subverted the idea of evil female spirits. It sees Leone and Karimi in conflict with each other, while Dev portrays a priest who drives the spirit away. 

A source shared, “Set in North India, Chudail sees Sunny as a spirit haunting the streets of Bulandshahr and luring men. But her character isn’t an all-black witch. As the story progresses, it’s revealed that she faced grave injustice in her lifetime and that sparked her need for vengeance in the afterlife. Extensive VFX has been used in the movie to showcase Sunny’s transformation from a beautiful woman to a spirit with glowing eyes and reversed feet.”

For Mahendra Dhariwal, Chudail is a significant project as it marks his 50th movie as a producer. He is planning its release on a grand scale, as he told mid-day, “It’s designed as a pan-India movie, shot in Hindi and dubbed in other languages [Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu]. We shot the film in a haveli in Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. Sunny’s Ragini MMS 2 [2014], where she played a possessed woman, was a big hit, and now she is returning as a chudail in the horror comedy. It’s also a musical. We are planning a theatrical release in September-end.”

In the past few days, Salman Khan’s next action entertainer — the working title of which is SVC63 — has hit headlines over reports of the actor’s remuneration.

Away from the noise, the superstar is readying to kick off the next schedule on August 6. mid-day has learnt that director Vamshi Paidipally will begin a six-week schedule in Goregaon, aiming to shoot three action set-pieces and several crowd sequences.

A source said, “The makers had initially planned to conduct the schedule in Hyderabad, but it was moved to Mumbai. This leg is heavily dependent on crowd work, with scenes involving hundreds of junior artistes. The action team has planned large-scale sequences, and the crowd movement in them is as important as Salman’s stunts. Nayanthara is expected to join the unit in a few weeks.”

Actor Rahul Dev has come on board as one of the film’s antagonists. He will join Khan in the upcoming leg.

Rahul Dev has built his career on looking and living the part. His transformation into Lt Col Hanut Singh for Ikkis is uncannily close to the real-life war hero that it became a talking point both on set and within the regiment. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the film follows Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a Param Vir Chakra recipient, played by Agastya Nanda, and his role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, climaxing with the Battle of Basantar.

To achieve authenticity, Rahul focused on physicality and detail with the same precision as his performance. He chose to grow the moustache that was integral to Hanut Singh’s identity. He says, “Hanut Singh ji had a very distinct personality, and his moustache was a part of that identity. Growing it helped me connect with his energy and reminded me of the responsibility I was stepping into. This physical process builds patience, too. Luckily, my facial structure matched his and the army team was pleased with how I looked.”

His preparation also involved reshaping his fitness routine to match the commander’s lean build. Rahul shares, “Hanut Singh ji was very thin, so I stopped exercising and followed a strict diet because I did not want to look fuller.”

Beyond physical transformation, Ikkis carries emotional weight for another reason. It will possibly mark the last big-screen appearance of Dharmendra, whose passing on November 12 left the country grieving a legend.

Rahul says, “There will be one person like that in several decades. Look at his work; it speaks for itself. He was perfection and the most handsome man. What made him extraordinary was that every single co-actor had only good things to say about him and that is extremely rare in our industry.”

What Rahul remembers most vividly is the warmth Dharmendra radiated off-screen. He shares, “You could go to meet someone else, and he would make you sit with him instead. You would never feel like you were meeting him for the first time. He made you feel at home instantly. Woh itne pyaar se chehra pakadte the aur unki hatheliyon mein chehra hi chhup jaata tha. He loved people with pure affection. Ek hota hai na ki ek aadmi dene hi bas pyaar aaya hai.”

He adds, “They do not make men like him anymore. Although I am extremely fond of Bhaiyya (Sunny Deol) and Bobby, emulating Dharam ji and being like him, even for his sons, would be next to impossible.”

“I believe Fashion was one of the major culprits behind showstoppers getting more importance at fashion shows,” smiles Mugdha Godse, as we ask her about the ongoing discussion regarding celebrity showstoppers stealing the spotlight over models at fashion shows. The model-turned-actress, who was in Ahmedabad recently for an event, talks about the changing scenario in the fashion industry, her journey as a devotional artiste and more.

Talking about celebrity showstoppers, Mugdha elaborates, “I believe fashion shows need a dramatic ending nowadays, and celebrity showstoppers bring that. Our fashion shows are very different, as we need Bollywood for everything. And it is working—for us as employment, for brands with their sales, and for people who can see the latest designs as well as the showstopper. So, it’s a win-win for all. In the end, the clothes are the heroes.”

The Fashion actress, who has done web shows like Bloody Brothers and The Broken News, feels OTT has disrupted the definition of “a perfect character.” She says, “OTT has increased the scope for actors, and it shows more real characters too. There is never somebody so perfect, like we used to see in saas-bahu shows on TV. There is always a grey side to everyone in real life. OTT has shown it, and I want to do such characters.”

She adds, “Today, the best part is that there are stories for every artiste and every kind of audience. Whether you are in your 40s or even 60s, there are many stories to tell, which is a great opportunity for artistes of all age groups. OTT has come as a new beginning for us.”

Mugdha, who made her singing debut with Krsna Vandana (an original composition featuring 108 names and qualities of Lord Krishna) last year, says, “I wouldn’t call myself a singer, as it is too much of a responsibility. Our singers have worked so hard to reach where they are. I tell everyone that I am an artiste who has found a beautiful bhaav in singing. I get to explore my spirituality in a different manner.”

Is she keen on exploring more projects as a singer? She says, “I would like to keep it devotional. I won’t say no if I am offered any other song in playback, but I won’t be performing it at a concert. For Krsna Vandana, we do performances, more like baithaks, in different cities. That feeling is different. If I want to explore my journey as a singer, it will be in that (devotional) space.”

Talking about how the modelling industry has changed, Mugdha shares, “Modelling isn’t as distinguished as a platform as it was during my days. There are a lot of platforms available for models. Also, the harsh truth is that an influencer posting a reel is making more money than a model walking the ramp, which shows a massive shift in the industry.”

She adds, “Making reels isn’t easy either; both things require hard work. So, it all comes down to one’s choices. There are still people who love to walk the ramp just for that high we get. But modelling isn’t a separate career anymore.”

Sharing her love for the city, Mugdha who has often visited the city, says, "I love Ahmedabad and always enjoy coming here, as the city surprises me every time. This time, I saw a global coffee brand’s name written in Gujarati. It is there in Maharashtra too, but it has started happening here too, which is so good. From modern infrastructure to rooted culture, this city has everything for everyone."

On asking if she would like to work with Rahul Dev (her partner) in a project now, Mugdha shares, "Rahul and I have just wrapped up a show. As individuals, we have very strong personalities, which might be visible on the screen too. So, we usually get scripts where our characters are not involved romantically. We are offered characters which may or may not be related."

The sudden passing of actor Mukul Dev at 54, on the late night of May 23, left the industry in shock. While tributes poured in, some also speculated about his health and emotional state. His elder brother, actor Rahul Dev, now addresses these conversations, offering clarity and an honest account of Mukul’s final days.

Rahul shares, “He was in the ICU for eight and a half days. Medically, it was a result of poor eating habits. In the last four-five days, he had stopped eating altogether. Of course, he felt lonely, and he had lost interest in life. Usko zindagi jeene ka jazba nahi tha. He would turn down several work offers.”

Mukul had shifted to Delhi in 2019 to care for their ailing father, who passed away that same year. Their mother passed away in 2023. Rahul says, “Only now, after completing all the rituals, is the reality sinking in — and I know the pain will only deepen.”

Rahul recalls how Mukul increasingly withdrew into himself, turning to writing — a solitary pursuit. He says, “He invested himself in writing and grew reclusive. I always encouraged him to return to acting. He missed his daughter immensely, who wasn’t living with him. He wasn’t looking after himself and living alone didn’t help.”

Addressing the circulating claims of Mukul being in depression or unwell, Rahul says, “The people who are speaking out now weren’t even in touch with him. They say he was unfit, but he ran half-marathons. Yes, he had gained weight — when someone stops caring about themselves, it shows. He felt isolated. Who really stayed in touch with him between 2019 and 2024? Did they visit him when he was in hospital or attend his prayer meet? He had two upcoming releases and had recently shot in England for Son Of Sardaar 2. No one will cast you if you’re not fit.”

Though Mukul had transitioned into writing and co-wrote Omerta for Hansal Mehta, Rahul believes the solitary nature of writing may have deepened his sense of isolation. “He was a gifted writer, but writing is lonely work. He needed companionship and a sense of purpose, and those were missing.”

The sense of loneliness, Rahul says, defined a large part of Mukul’s life. “I’m a widower, and he was a divorcee. Sometimes I wonder — is it a kind of curse? When you separate from someone you’ve loved deeply, it’s incredibly hard. Har koi akele aata hai, akele jaata hai, people say — but it’s different when you’re living that aloneness. Mukul split at a young age, and while he had a strong bond with his child, he was never really meant to be on his own,” Rahul shares, and recalls, “He was always surrounded by people, especially women — from childhood, he was effortlessly charming. I, on the other hand, was always shy around girls. He was a star before he became one. And the irony is, someone so naturally social ended up so alone. He never remarried or tried again. His life was full of such ironies. I wish he had been more receptive — things could have turned around.”

Rahul, who is just under two years older than Mukul, often took on a more parental role. He recalls, “I would scold him about his health, and he’d avoid me, especially towards the end. I remember a moment from our childhood — our mother was narrating the story of Shravan taking his blind parents on a pilgrimage. While I quietly teared up, Mukul said, ‘I’ll take you and dad around the world when you turn blind.’ Our mom laughed and said, ‘We’re perfectly fine, why do you want to blind us just to travel with us!’ (laughs!).”

As he reflects on his brother’s legacy, Rahul says, “I choose to remember him not as the man who faded away, but as the super charming, intelligent, and sensitive person he truly was. Kamaal tha woh. His memory was razor sharp — he could learn South Indian dialogues in a snap while I’d take hours. He wasn’t a bechara. He was incredibly gifted — he could’ve been anything: a pilot, a writer, an actor. He brought joy, wit, and energy into every room. That’s the Mukul I knew and that’s how I want the world to remember him.”

Mumbai: Well known actor of Hindi and Punjabi cinema, Mukul Dev, passed away in New Delhi at the age of 54 Friday. He had been hospitalized for an unspecified ailment. The news of his death caused a ripple of shock within the film industry as well as viewers who had watched him in films and on television since the 1990s.

Born in New Delhi to a Punjabi family in 1970, Mukul was the son of a senior police officer. He trained to be a pilot before finding his call in acting. He was initially cast in a movie ‘Naam Kya Hai’ by Amitabh Bachchan's ABCL but it was shelved. He launched his career with Doordarshan through a serial named ‘Mumkin’ in 1996. The same year he made his cinematic debut with Sushmita Sen starrer ‘Dastak’ where he played a police officer.

Mukul went on to feature in 'Qila', 'Wajood', 'Kohram', 'Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao', 'Yamla Pagla Deewana', 'Son of Sardaar', 'R... Rajkumar', 'Jai Ho' and several Punjabi films including 'Sarabha'.

On television, he was the host of 'Fear Factor India: Season 1'. He acted in serials like 'Kahin Diyaa Jale Kahin Jiyaa', 'Kashish', 'Gharwali Ooparwali', 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki', 'Sshh.. Phir Koi Hai', 'Kumkum... Pyara Sa Bandhan' and 'Pyar Zindagi Hai'. Mukul was the brother of actor Rahul Dev.

He is survived by a 22-year-old daughter Sia. Rahul performed the last rites in Delhi. Friends and peers from the entertainment industry mourned his loss. Actress Deepshikha Nagpal who announced his demise on social media recalled how they met whenever he came to Mumbai. Actor Vindoo Dara Singh remarked that Mukul had kept to himself and stopped stepping out after his parents' death.

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Mukul Dev, former model and familiar face in Hindi and Punjabi films, died at the age of 54 on Friday night. The actor succumbed to severe health complications after a week-long battle in the Intensive Care Unit in a hospital in Delhi. His cremation was conducted on Saturday.

Born into a Punjabi family in Delhi, Mukul was the younger brother to actor-model Rahul Dev. He is survived by his daughter Sia. After the news of his death broke, tributes from the industry began pouring in.

Actor Mugdha Godse (Rahul Dev’s partner) confirmed the news, telling us, “We are still in a state of shock. He was in ICU at a hospital in Delhi, for a week; severe health complications, and he couldn’t survive. None of us in our wildest imagination could think of this coming.”

Veteran actor Puneet Issar, who worked with Mukul in Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011), says, “Not possible, he was so fit and fine... Achcha ladka tha... Saari baatein maanne wala, khush rehna wala insaan — that was him.”

Actor Divya Dutta, a close friend and co-star in Shaatar (2023) and Iski Topi Uske Sarr (1998) shares her grief, saying, “Life is so unpredictable... And how frivolous this life is. I still can’t believe it. He was a dear friend and adorable guy.”

Actor Dipshikkha Nagppal says, “We were part of the same friend circle. Whenever he was in Mumbai from Delhi, we made it a point to catch up. He was only 54 — such a kind and wonderful soul. I can’t wrap my head around it.”

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Yashika Mathur

Known for playing strong antagonists in Bollywood and south Indian films, along with doing Odia, Punjabi, Bengali and Bhojpuri films, Rahul Dev is in an interesting phase of his career. Rahul, who was in Ahmedabad recently, says, “I tried breaking my image as a villain in films by doing other characters, but I was always offered negative roles. Now, thanks to OTT, I am exploring so many other genres and characters. I am enjoying myself more. Bahot real content pe kaam karne ko mil raha hai, which I was seeking for a while.”

He adds, “I now believe in doing roles which make me happy instead of focusing on what makes others happy. By God’s grace, I am not in a position where I have to work to sustain. I am grateful for the work I am getting across mediums and languages.”

Before he got into films, Rahul was a top model. He says, “I was enjoying modelling when I got a call in the ’90s from Mukul Anand for Dus. I was supposed to be the negative lead opposite Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt. However, the film got shelved halfway (after Mukul Anand passed away). In 2000, my journey in films began with Champion, where I played an antagonist.”

Asked about getting typecast as a villain, he says, “In those days, being typecast was very easy. I played the villain in almost every film and was doing well. Playing a negative character puts you in a larger-than-life situation, where you have big guns, or you are riding a horse or own a chopper. For a middle-class man from Delhi, these were new experiences. I even tried doing positive characters in films like Kyon? and 88 Antop Hill, but people called them art films. Those were the days of commercial cinema, and I accepted getting typecast. I tried making each character impactful.”

Rahul lost his wife Rina to cancer in 2009 and has been a single parent since then. He says, “It was a very sudden change for me, and I didn’t get time to cope with it. While I didn’t take up new projects, I was busy with completing the ongoing projects till 2011. I moved to Delhi with my son, where I donned the role of single parent. It was challenging and I was working in the gyms that I owned in Delhi. In 2013, my guru asked me to get back to films. After that, there was no looking back.”

The Hindi film industry is shocked by the sudden and untimely demise of Sanjay Gadhvi. The director, best known for helming action thriller films like Dhoom and Dhoom 2, passed away on Sunday morning following a heart attack. He was to celebrate his 57th birthday on November 22.

Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta says Gadhvi remains the same great guy he knew from his schooling days in South Mumbai, where the latter used to stay.

“We worked together for Sippy Films. He was assisting Anant Balani, who also is no more, I was doing sound designing for Patthar Ke Phool. Even after he achieved success with films like Dhoom and Dhoom 2, he remained the same genuinely wonderful person he always was.”

The Mumbai Saga director shares he will remember his namesake for his personality and his energy. “He was always positive, a nice person. I never saw him stressed about anything.”

Rahul Dev remembers Gadhvi for being welcoming and helpful even before they collaborated on Kidnap. The actor, who was looking to return to work after a break, met the director at his home. “He couldn’t get me any work at that time as he was going through a process of introspection. He had been working on a film but that didn’t take off as planned. Yet, he gave me two hours of his time, speaks a lot of his helpful, kind and patient nature,” reminisces the actor who also worked with the director on his last venture, Operation Parindey.

The making of the 2020 film that released on Zee5 was testing times just before the pandemic. Dev recalls, “We had gone to Punjab to shoot it. Seeing him direct, I used to wonder why he wasn’t doing work more prolifically. He was too good a director to have done only that number of films. After all, he had made films like Dhoom and Dhoom 2.”

The actor reveals that the director connected with him for their third project together. “He was dabbling with another interesting subject. Unfortunately, it didn’t see the light of day as he couldn’t start it.”

Dev shares that the most incredible aspect about Gadhvi as a director was his sense of shot-taking. “We’ve seen both, Dhoom and Dhoom 2. I worked with him on a big budget film like Kidnap and a small-budgeted project like Operation Parindey, in which the crane shot is enough to tell you how he knew what to make and how to mount it. He was tech-savvy to make small films look like they were made on a big scale.”

The actor shared that the director was a very nice and kind guy. “Often times, people say good things about those after they are no longer around us. Gadhvi was one of those genuinely nice guys everyone spoke good about all the time.”

Rahul Dev firmly believes that when you are “at peace with life” and have “people who care for you”, good things are bound to happen. “Finally, I am in a phase where I have some genuine relationships — be it with my son, (partner) Mugdha (Godse, actor) and some others,” shares the actor.

He admits feeling “lost and shaken” when he lost his wife. “But my spiritual guru helped me. Now, I am spiritually stronger than ever — professionally and personally. I know how to strike the right balance in life,” says the Empire actor. 

Dev believes that thinking positively has been a “game changer” for him. “I have seen people working rigorously and devoting hours to their external selves, but the problem lies deep within. The day I realised this, I worked solely on this aspect. Positivity has made me get associated with the projects that are best for me.” 

The actor also believes in going the extra mile to play a role. “For instance, when the film Hunter Tootega Nai Todega came to me, I felt that my character would be best projected as a Haryanvi cop. I managed to convince my writer and maker to rework it. The results are extremely rewarding. Now, I can’t wait for the second part of the series,” he says. “I don’t fear experimenting and exploring; like, currently, I am learning Marathi, and who better than Mugdha to teach me this sweet language,” ends the actor.

Mugdha Godse and Rahul Dev have been going strong for the past eight years. In a chat with us recently, when asked about her wedding plans, the actress had told us, “No marriage plans this year. We are probably one of those happy couples, married or unmarried!”

While the two are not looking at getting married anytime soon, you can see them revel in the festivities of Karva Chauth with great fervor. Mugdha says, “Karva Chauth is a beautiful tradition and I believe in it. I fast and try to keep up with rituals. I have been celebrating the auspicious festival for many years now. I always saw my mom do it and would be excited about celebrating it when my time came (smiles). It’s a great feeling and a lovely tradition.”

What makes the festival even more remarkable is that her partner, Rahul, too, fasts along with her. She says, “That’s the sweetest thing. We feed each other after we see the moon.”

Taking us through the routine for the day, Mugdha shares, “I start by eating high proteins in the morning and keep activities to a low throughout the day. Rahul and I visit the temple and spend time together all day.”

The couple that celebrates festivals together, stays strong and grows together. She says, “I feel these festivals, especially Karva Chauth, bring couples closer. The sweetness of sacrifice and thought about each other strengthens the bond.”

Actor Rahul Dev has been busy for over two decades, yet he feels there’s no guarantee of one’s fame carrying them through all their life. He exclaims that missing from showbiz for some time surely affects actors, and in his case, he had to start his career all over again after the sabbatical.

“I have faced many difficult phases [in my career]. I took a sabbatical after 2009, for four-and-a-half years, after my wife passed away due to cancer. It took me time, as my son was very young. When I returned, I wasn’t getting any work,” he shares.

The 52-year-old actor had to participate in the reality show Bigg Boss to bounce back and be noticed. “I was trying to make a comeback, and had to do a reality show for that. After doing 80 films, I don’t know many people who would do that (feature in a reality show). Why would somebody participate on such a platform, after collecting a number of awards? But that was a fact. You have to look at the time and stage you are in your career (for taking such decisions),” says the actor, who has web shows like The Empire, Poison 2, LSD: Love, Scandal and Doctors to his credit.

Ever since the second phase of his career began, he has done films like Mubarakan (2017) and Torbaaz (2020). Dev adds that he has to face competition even now, but he doesn’t like to look at the situation in that manner. “Today, my diary (work schedule) looks promising, with the kind of offers I am getting. I might be working with Anees (Bazmee, director) again very soon. I have enjoyed two films with him. How can you talk about competition in craft. It’s an unfair comparison, you can’t compare two talents,” the actor ends.

Spending a week at his home in Delhi after almost two years of hectic work, was no less than a blessing for Rahul Dev, who says that “this seven-day period was the longest break I got in the last two years.” For many in the showbiz industry, the last two years have been a tough phase, owing to the pandemic, with projects getting shelved and shoots getting postponed indefinitely. However, Rahul says that he’s been busy throughout, with back to back films and series to shoot.

“I know that people have been saying ki kaam nahi hua…but for me it was very productive. I had eight releases in the last two years. There’s been so much work that I managed to get some time to spend at my Delhi home after years,” adds Rahul.

The actor, who has worked in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam films, says that today it’s a matter of pride and privilege for actors to be working in south cinema, but when he chose to do that, some of his friends made fun of him.

Rahul shares, “When I would do films in south India, some of my friends would make fun of me. They would say, ‘kya yaar, tu kaisi film kar raha hai?’ I feel these films have contributed a lot to my growth. I feel that my talent was undermined here (in Bollywood). If I grew up in Delhi and came from modelling, why can’t I play a Bihari or a man from UP in Hindi films? If S S Rajamouli can cast me in a Telugu film and I can get state awards for my performance there, why would I not get such kind of roles here?”

He continues, “I did 33 films in Telugu, 17 films in Tamil, 17 films in Kannada, 5 films in Malayalam. If I am good enough to play a Malayali or a Kannadiga or a Tamilian, and if I can work hard to accomplish that with some outstanding directors, I don’t know why I would not be considered to play a Bihari or a guy from UP in Hindi films. In fact, that would be relatively easier for me. I was not getting the kind of roles that I wanted to do. After a while I started getting irritated that every role that I would get was of the ‘main villain’.”

Rahul says, “Once I started working there (in the South), years went by and I had so much work that I had to get a house in Hyderabad. That was the time I took a break from doing Hindi films. But I am happy that I got to work with some outstanding directors and today it is a matter of pride to be working in south films and with those directors. Now the perception has changed, abhi toh shaan ki baat hai south ki film karna.”

Rahul, who has a career spanning over two decades in films, says that he is enjoying the kind of work that is being offered to him now. “I wish I was born 20 years later, because the variety of roles that you get to do now, you didn’t get that before. With me there was always a tag of playing a villain, I am thankful to Nikkhil Advani, who helped me break that image. I am trying my best to do roles that I have not been offered in the past. But even the past work that I did has been a learning experience for me. I tried to do something different when I started my career in films. Like, I worked with Kalpana Lajmi in the movie Kyon, but that didn’t work then because it was probably ahead of its time. There were a certain kind of films – larger than life – that worked then and those even work now, garnering crores at the box office. And doing those kinds of films wasn’t easy. In fact, that is far more difficult than acting in a film that is realistic. So, that was a learning experience for me. But if you ask me what I like more, I am enjoying the current phase where I am being offered different roles in some very good stories,” said Rahul.

The actor, who has always been known for his love for fitness and looks visibly leaner these days, says that he is in the process of losing weight for his upcoming project, in which he is playing the role of a CBI officer. “I have been working hard to lose my muscle weight for this role, as I wanted to look like a regular guy. I think it is important for actors today to bring necessary changes in how they look and speak to look more real and relatable on screen, as the kind of stories being written today are more realistic. Also, one needs to think of the portrayal of any character keeping today’s audience in mind, which is better exposed to world cinema and has different expectations. I work on myself as per the character that is being offered to me, and the kind of story and background that character has. If one doesn’t work like that today, one ends up looking similar on screen always,” says the actor.

With his chiseled features and muscular physique, actor and former model Rahul Dev looks like a villainous guy, but is actually a gentle soul with a peaceful and calm mind. Enjoying a successful stint in films in Bollywood and down South, TV and OTT too, Rahul says he’s in a comfortable place in life both professional and personal. In Lucknow recently for a shoot, we caught up with the Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev and Mubarakan actor on his views on the current season of Bigg Boss, how his journey has been as an actor and model and more. mats, viz a viz films, TV and now OTT.

I am grateful to be a part of some of the best stories and collaborating with excellent directors such as the late Mukul Anand ji, Santosh Sivan, S S Rajamouli, Kalpana Lajmi, Nikkhil Advani, E Niwas, Anees Bazmi, Vikram Bhatt, Ahmed Khan, Prabhu Dheva, Trivikram Srinivas Rao, Lawrence, Siva, Indra Kumar, Rohit Dhawan, Ken Ghosh and many others in the movie space. The experience has been both enriching and creatively fruitful. In fact, now with OTT I am getting to do a plethora of varied roles with newer directors/writers which tend to challenge me and bring out a completely different side to me. So, gratitude is the only thing which comes to mind.

I’m thankful that with my master’s grace I wasn’t dragged into unnecessary bickering, etc. In fact, I have been one of the most respected people on the largely popular show. Because of my current commitments and time constraints I have been unable to follow the current season but there are two friends of mine who are part of the show.

To me, Rahul and fitness are almost synonymous. He has been sporting a six-pack since the time it was not even a trend, but a novelty in Bollywood. On the other hand, being a model and actor, I too have to follow a strict fitness regime. However, our fitness regime and exercises are completely different. I am more into ashtanga yoga, while Rahul is into gym-oriented exercises. But we like to discuss and talk about it.

A lot. Even though we were having a good time at home, Rahul and I were particularly bothered about the household chores. However, we managed somehow. I have learnt that nothing is greater than the blessing of God.

During the lockdown, I also started cooking for the first time and did all the household work. I learnt to cook quite a few Punjabi dishes and I am getting better at it.

We should always remember that whatever we say, influences a lot of people. So, when you are saying something you better make sense and you must believe in it. It’s okay to raise your voice against something, but it is also important to keep quiet unless required to do so otherwise.

I am the kind of person who keeps her plan-B ready for every situation. So, frustration doesn’t come to me so easily. And then I have my yoga and spiritual classes, which helped me a lot.

Both technologically and content-wise, the Indian film industry has come a long way since 2008. Because of the OTT platforms, the fine line between commercial cinema and art films is disappearing. Films like Thappad and Pink are being made. Now almost every other film revolves around a woman. And I am glad to be a part of the industry at this point.

Rahul Dev has been in the industry for two decades and he states that “things have changed for the better”. “From when I started out, It is more professional and adherence to time is more clockwork. Besides, it is much more organised and storytelling is way better today,” he says. Dev has been a part of many films across languages including, Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi, and more.

Dev, who is currently working on multiple projects says, “With the platforms [available] today, it gives you the chance to stand out. You don’t necessarily need to have a big production house to be recognised. Everyone has their own journey.” He adds that while watching a film, he believes that the audience influences each other in feeling the emotions more actively, and that makes for an amazing experience.

“I love watching cinema, the general experience and watching on the big screen. Whenever I get a break, I will watch a film. It breaks my heart to see people watching films on small mobile screens, it is difficult to appreciate the beauty of it,” says Dev, who has been busy with back to back projects even during the pandemic since June 2020.

The 52-year-old actor says that he loves thrillers, and often does work in that genre, and even his upcoming projects are thrillers. “I love doing political, satire and thriller films. When it comes to love story, I like mature romance and subtlety where there is less words, more feeling like that of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan in Sholay (1975).”

Having worked in films in multiple languages, Dev remembers an acting class he had taken when he was starting out, which was in gibberish taught by famous actor-comedian Paintal. It helped him in doing films in any languages that may come. About his process, Dev says, “Once you feel the love for your work, for a particular role and you immerse yourself in it, it is often reflected in the outcome.”

Having been in the film industry for over two decades now, actor Rahul Dev has seen it evolve and revamp. He says while a lot has changed, mostly it is for the better.

“It is more competitive now but in a good way, not in an aggressive way. It is not that somebody is trying to outdo each other. People are actually getting inspired from each other genuinely. Trying to up their own levels,” he says.

And the OTT space has contributed a lot to this change in the entertainment industry. “The scope of roles is more now. Even when I played a doctor in web series LSD - Love, Scandal & Doctors, I wasn’t a caricature doctor. Like those we have been so used to seeing in cinema — one with a stethoscope around neck,” Dev shares.

The 52-year-old has been quite open to the digital medium, having done multiple projects including The Test Case, Who’s Your Daddy, Poison 2. His films Operation Parindey and Torbaaz also released digitally, last year.

So, does he feel that it is only now that his acting potential has been fully tapped? “It will be unfair if I say that. I think I was fine in Asoka (2001), Telugu film Simhadri (2008) and some others. Now I like this kind of creative stuff that is offered to me on web because I have only done commercial stuff. I am enjoying this space a lot. Everyone can be to be wherever they want to be but you cannot say that this is greener than that,” he concludes.

At a time when actors were shuttered at home, Rahul Dev was journeying across the country, shooting for films. Among the first few actors to resume shooting for a film after the lockdown, (he shot for Velapanthi in Punjab in June), Rahul is having “a very busy year.” Talking about the year which is otherwise subjugated by Coronavirus, he says, “I started shooting in June, and since then I have been working every day, barring the four weeks in between when I injured my shoulder and was forced to take time off and rest.”

The extensive travel, and ensuing fear of contracting COVID didn’t bother Rahul, who had taken to spirituality few years ago. “It never occurred to me even once that I might catch the virus. People around us are wearing masks, but we are without them because we are on camera. People were holed up at home out of worry, while here I was, travelling lengthily. My co-actor Aftab Shivdasani had tested positive, besides two more from another one of my film’s unit. I am as fragile as anyone else, I am not superman. But, I had faith because of his (referring to his spiritual guide) grace.”

Been India’s supermodel, and having entered films in an era when physical attributes of a hero sold tickets, Rahul also rode the tide of realistic cinema into India. “If it’s your craft and you are a body builder, then you better put on muscle. But if you are an actor, flaunting six packs is now considered almost regressive. Though audiences still enjoy that, and I, too, do some films that are unreal because that is demanded of me, but that is fantasy. Now, the larger narrative, both in films and on digital platforms, is real. It is closer to the ordinary. It is the tale about an ordinary man rising to become a hero, but in a realistic fashion.”

Talking about the way films and entertainment consumption started a new conversation amid the pandemic and went the OTT way, Rahul says COVID was just a catalyst of this change. “Undeniably, in India, love for the big screen isn’t going away for some more time, for actors as much as audiences. But the catcalls in theatres over a hero’s entry and action, is a by-product. It is now not ‘the’ focus. Yeah, I, too, continue to don that role at times because till I am not the captain (director), I have to disconnect my likes and dislikes from my craft and keep idealism apart. The job of an actor is to entertain, and do full justice to the director’s vision.”

But in his private space, Rahul, who made a comeback to films after a four year sabbatical, says he lives his idealism. “I never endorsed any product that I don’t believe in because here I am the captain,” he signs off.