Showing posts with label Rahul Dev interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rahul Dev interview. Show all posts
Rahul Dev remembers Dharmendra: "Dharam ji itne pyaar se chehra pakadte the"
10:00 AM
The actor talks about his transformation to play a war hero in Ikkis, and the warmth of Dharmendra
Neha Maheshwri (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 4, 2025)
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.”
The people who are speaking out now weren’t even in touch with Mukul-Rahul Dev
3:51 PM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; June 16, 2025)
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.”
I played the villain in almost every film and was doing well-Rahul Dev
9:29 AM
Kanksha Vasavada (AHMEDABAD TIMES; February 21, 2025)
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.”
‘I ACCEPTED GETTING TYPECAST AS A VILLAIN’
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.”
‘IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO GET BACK TO WORK AFTER MY WIFE RINA PASSED AWAY’
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.”
When I returned after a four year sabbatical, I wasn’t getting any work-Rahul Dev
8:28 AM
The actor says taking long breaks from work affects career choices, discusses his tough phases
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 2, 2022)
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.
I was made fun of for doing South films. Now it’s a matter of pride-Rahul Dev
7:40 AM
Divya Kaushik (BOMBAY TIMES; June 3, 2022)
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.
‘I FEEL MY TALENT WAS UNDERMINED IN BOLLYWOOD’
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.”
‘I WAS ALWAYS TAGGED AS ‘THE VILLAIN’ IN HINDI FILMS’
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.
‘TODAY AN ACTOR NEEDS TO WORK ON EVERY CHARACTER TO LOOK MORE REAL AND RELATABLE’
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.
I have been one of the most respected contestant on Bigg Boss-Rahul Dev
10:28 PM
Iti Shree Misra (LUCKNOW TIMES; January 22, 2022)
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.
How has the journey been?
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.
How was your Bigg Boss experience and what do you have to say of the current occupants of the house?
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.
Are you in favor of celebration indulging in PDA or discussing their love/ private lives on national TV?
It’s entirely an individualistic choice and I would refrain from commenting upon someone’s choice
Do you think OTT has been a game changer in terms of viewership, content and actors’ careers?
It absolutely has been. It’s given a large opportunity to newer talent coming forth be it in the guise of fresher content or newer writers, directors, technicians or actors. It’s also given people an opportunity to reclaim their space for creativity.
You seem happy with the pace you’ve set for your career.
I feel faith lends support to being quietly confident...it comes from my faith in my spiritual master and from honing my skill set regularly. Be it skills as an actor, be it developing a certain physicality for a part or otherwise. Hailing from Delhi from a Punjabi family, I have delivered dialogues in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malyalam too that I feel, is a linguistic skill and a rare gift from above.
You've also a contented man in your personal life. What’s next in it for you?
I have been lucky with love twice. It’s indeed rare that life smiles once at you, for me I feel blessed that I found love again. It’s wonderful to see my son developing, I feel protected and indeed special to have the loving spiritual influence of my beloved master.
What more do we see from you on the big and the small screen this year?
I have a busy lineup this year starting with a series with Sunny Leone directed by Vikram Bhatt. That will be followed by another web show on. I can’t share more because of the NDA. I also have a feature film which is a sequel to 1920, directed by Krishna Bhatt and written by Mahesh Bhatt. These projects are next on the anvil.
Who said older actors don’t get work? I had eight projects in two years-Rahul Dev
8:09 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 27, 2021)
Age and work volume for actors are inversely related, at least that’s the common notion. However, for Rahul Dev, the same rules do not apply. The actor, who turns 53 today, says his career has never been better.
“People say, ‘Harr saal umar ke sath kaam kam hota hai’. All these perceptions and beliefs that if you age, there might not be roles for you, do not apply to me,” Dev says, adding, “I’ve been working in places all over the country. Who said older actors don’t get work? I had eight projects in the last two years. Ab main kya bolun.”
At a time when the pandemic slowed down the entertainment industry, the actor is grateful that his career remained untouched. “Professionally, it’s been the perfect year for me. I’ve been shooting every single day, which is unusual at a time when people are sitting at home without work,” Dev says.
And while birthdays are all about growing old, Dev is proud of his age and doesn’t believe in hiding it. “I’ve made no bones about my age. It’s out there online, unlike those actors who hide it. Everybody knows exactly how old I am. It doesn’t matter as long as you’re healthy,” he muses.
As for his celebration plans, the actor is going to spend his day with partner Mugdha Godse, and his spiritual master, who’s flown to India. “It’s a lucky birthday for me. Somebody visiting me from overseas in the pandemic is like some conspiracy by the universe. I’m so thankful to my spiritual master for this. Mugdha and I are going to be with him,” he signs off.
It breaks my heart to see people watching films on small mobile screens-Rahul Dev
7:44 AM
Rahul Dev adds that the industry is much more professional these days
Aamir Momin (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 3, 2021)
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.”
Things in Bollywood are now more competitive than before-Rahul Dev
8:25 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 1, 2021)
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.
I am as fragile as others, but I had faith-Rahul Dev
8:23 AM
Rahul Dev was one of the first few actors to resume shooting after the lockdown in June. Since then he has travelled extensively, yet was never worried about Coronavirus
Jaspreet Nijher (BOMBAY TIMES; October 25, 2020)
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.
No one does favours in Bollywood-Rahul Dev
8:18 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 12, 2020)
With shoots back on, actor Rahul Dev has already wrapped up two projects. Shooting since July 25, Dev didn’t mind going to work “as producer’s money is stuck”. He says, “I wrapped up the remaining portions of a Hindi film and a web show, which were pending since the lockdown. I’ll shoot for two other projects this month, and next month, I’ll shoot for Nikkhil Advani’s web show.”
He also tells us that he had been working till the day of the Coronavirus lockdown, “which is why two seasons of my recent web show could be released in the last few months”. With a number of projects lined up, Dev feels blessed to have completed 20 years in the industry. He adds, “A career in this industry depends on luck, talent and hard work. Filmmaking is a business at the end of the day... No one does favours in Bollywood. If you are good at your work, you will get work.”
The actor says while he is not “in a position where someone will make a ₹500 crore film” starring him, he got a second chance after the four-year-long break he took due to his wife’s illness. “I was able to restart my career without a godfather, in an industry where it’s tough to get a break. Being a character artiste, I feel working sincerely worked for me,” he concludes.
If you’re happy, age gap shouldn’t be an issue-Rahul Dev
8:20 AM
Rahul Dev on the 14-year difference between him and Mugdha Godse
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 7, 2020)
In 2015, actress-model Mugdha Godse confirmed that she was in a relationship with Rahul Dev. “Mugdha and I are in a relationship. Both our families and even Rina’s (Rahul’s late wife) family, whom I’m still extremely close to, know about it. She lives with my parents when we’re in Delhi. Even my son knows that we’re dating,” the 44-year-old actor had told Mirror earlier (January 27, 2017).More recently, Rahul was on the show Pro Music Countdown, when he took stock of the relationship. The actor, who was last seen on the Hindi big screen in Mubarakan (2017), said that after losing his wife to cancer in 2009, he took some time off to focus on their son, Sidhant. Soon after, he met Mugdha at a friend’s wedding, and everything changed. “It wasn’t love at first sight, but we became friends. We hung out through all the ceremonies and bonded well. Then, we started meeting frequently and fell madly in love,” he says.
Addressing the 14-year age-gap between them, Rahul admits having reservations about it initially. “But I realised my parents were 10 years apart. So, it isn’t that big a gap for me. Also, I believe if you’re happy, age difference and everything else shouldn’t be an issue,” he reasons, harking back to one of the most difficult phases of his life.
Rahul married Rina, his childhood sweetheart, when he was 24. Their son, Sidhant, was 11 when she succumbed to cancer. He took a break from work to take care of him. “The break was totally worth it. Sidhant has grown up to be a wonderful young man. We love spending time together, but I also respect his need for space,” he laughs.
We need to tell stories about our past-Rahul Dev
6:56 AM
Rahul Dev completes 20 years as an actor; adds cinema is organic and realistic today
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 6, 2020)
A model-turned-actor, who starred in numerous films including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, Rahul Dev completes 20 years in cinema this year. He is glad to see the growth in entertainment, and that many directors from regional languages are getting their due in Hindi cinema, too. “I have worked with SS Rajamouli, Prabhudheva, Prabhas and many others much before they were known pan-India. I started doing regional films as the creativity there was outstanding,” he says. Rahul has also done films in Oriya, Bengali, Malayalam, Punjabi, Bhojpuri and Marathi.
Talking about Hindi cinema around the start of his career, Rahul shares that if you played a certain role, you were stereotyped. “It was a bit regressive. Today, the lead actors in movies are regular faces, like we have Vicky Kaushal, Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao. Unlike Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, who have a larger than life image. Today, the heroes in cinema are more approachable as the stories have changed. They are more organic and realistic. The digital platform has realistic roles and shows, and actors are enjoying playing them,” says the Dishoom (2016) actor.
Now, he is looking forward to the upcoming digital film on a prison break which is inspired by real events. He says, “I took on the part as the role was based on a real person and the story had something about it that interested me. It is not the usual fictional character that we have seen in the past.”
Rahul is glad many real life stories including biopics are being made in India — either as films or on the web. “I have seen two wars as a kid, and back then, it meant a break from school. Being a cop’s son, we knew the drill and would switch off the lights when the siren went off. Today’s generation is quite aware about what is happening around the world due to the internet. The young generation needs to hear stories about our nation’s past,” he opines.
Another reason why he took on the digital film, Rahul says, was for its association with the ’84 riots. Talking about his memories about that time, Rahul says, “I remember I was in the sixth standard and one of my friends, a Sikh, wanted to cut his hair and I watched how painful it was for his family. My other friend’s father’s shoe shops were burned down and I remember him telling us about it in school. So, when this film came to me with the riots as the background, I knew I had to do this.”
I am in the same space with Mugdha Godse as I was when I was married-Rahul Dev
10:07 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; February 4, 2017)
Rahul Dev is happy that life
has given him a second chance. The actor, who was forced to take a
four-year sabbatical from work and move to Delhi to take care of his son
after his wife died of cancer, returned to showbiz only after his son
went abroad for further studies.
Fortunately, he didn't have to struggle for work as apart from films, he also bagged reality shows like Power Couple and Bigg Boss 10. Interestingly, Rahul's girlfriend Mugdha Godse stayed away from the limelight during his stay in the Bigg Boss house. “I was averse to the idea of Mugdha making an appearance. The nature of this reality show makes it sensational. I am extremely protective about my personal space and dignity,“ he explains.
Does he plan to settle down? “We are still discovering each other and meet everyday. Mentally, I am in the same space with Mugdha as I was when I was married. I have known her since 2013, but the relationship bettered organically and became purer last year. I feel truly blessed to get a second chance in life, especially in a profession as fickle as acting,“ he answers.
Meanwhile, the actor is all set to test waters in the fiction genre with Dil Boley Oberoi, a spin-off on Ishqbaaz. He will play antagonist Kaali Pratap Thakur, a strong and intense character. “It's a guest appearance, which has been scripted well. I can't devote 20 days a month to a show,“ he says.
Fortunately, he didn't have to struggle for work as apart from films, he also bagged reality shows like Power Couple and Bigg Boss 10. Interestingly, Rahul's girlfriend Mugdha Godse stayed away from the limelight during his stay in the Bigg Boss house. “I was averse to the idea of Mugdha making an appearance. The nature of this reality show makes it sensational. I am extremely protective about my personal space and dignity,“ he explains.
Does he plan to settle down? “We are still discovering each other and meet everyday. Mentally, I am in the same space with Mugdha as I was when I was married. I have known her since 2013, but the relationship bettered organically and became purer last year. I feel truly blessed to get a second chance in life, especially in a profession as fickle as acting,“ he answers.
Meanwhile, the actor is all set to test waters in the fiction genre with Dil Boley Oberoi, a spin-off on Ishqbaaz. He will play antagonist Kaali Pratap Thakur, a strong and intense character. “It's a guest appearance, which has been scripted well. I can't devote 20 days a month to a show,“ he says.
Salman Khan took me to his chalet and even promised me a job-Rahul Dev
7:46 AM
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; December 19, 2016)
Rahul Dev who was evicted from Bigg Boss 10 last week is a relieved man. He says he had enough of the house! “Lot of things have happened outside like demonetization. I have a company to run and several other responsibilities, that I will have to take care of now. I have a 80-year-old mother and 92-year-old father to take care of. Also, my son who is studying abroad is coming on the 19th so everything has fallen into place,” says Rahul. He, however, is glad that he who never could even boil water can now cook a good meal right from chopping vegetables to making a dish. “I cooked for 12 people for two-and-a-half days and also know to make coffee now,” he smiles.
The constant refrain about him in the house was he was lazy and could not take a stance. Even host Salman Khan called him out on that. Was he hurt by the comments? “No, because Salman always heard me out. I told him there and then, that I can’t plot and scheme, and can be entertaining to a certain extent.” However, in the next few week, Rahul perked up and even did an act spoofing Swami Om that got him a lot of applause. “Yes, but it was an act created out of a situation. And that’s what I do for a living,” he shrugs it off. As for Salman, Rahul says he has been extremely magnanimous. “He took me to his chalet and even promised me a job,” he grins.
About him being biased and supportive of Bani against Om Swami but not Lopa, he says, “Bani is clear that she does not like Om Swami, but Lopa herself is confused. On the one hand, she says he looks at her inappropriately and on the other he is the one oiling her hair and putting her to sleep!”
What prompted him to be a part of the show? “I had taken a three-and-a-half year break from films because I lost my wife Rina and had to take care of my son. I gave importance to parenting over everything else and went back to Delhi. Now, when I had to make a comeback, Bigg Boss was the best platform to give me that visibility.”
Rahul has found love again with Mugdha Godse and the two participated in Power Couple, too. Is he planning to take their relationship to the next level? “I can’t say about marriage right now, but Mugdha is extremely special. I am glad she is a part of my life,” he says.
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