Daily soaps have become a habit: Deven Bhojani

New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) After spending over 25 years in the industry, popular actor Deven Bhojani says over the years, daily soaps have become a habit.

Talking about the changes, he said: "My first show was 'Malgudi Days' in 1986. I was 15 then. Since then television has undergone many changes. There were weeklies then, but now it is the age of daily soaps.

"For a weekly, we used to shot for 10 days in a month and used to relax for remaining 20 days. But for daily shows, there are about 20 episodes that have to be shot in a month. All that has added a lot of pressure.

"But I think people like watching daily soaps a lot. It has become a habit like eating, bathing and sleeping. And that is why they have become very popular," Deven told IANS.

In his over two-decade stint in television, the 42-year-old has played some popular characters like Karima in "Dekh Bhai Dekh", Raju in "Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka" and Gattu in "Baa Bahoo Aur Baby".

It is not only the small screen that saw his acting skill. People also enjoyed watching him on the silver screen in 1992 film "Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander" and the latest one being the mentally challenged Azhar Lala in "Agneepath".

The key to his success is that he gives his 100 percent to all his characters and takes care of every thing.

"Whenever I do a project, be it as an actor, director or producer, I give my 100 percent to it. I get so engrossed in it that people often get irritated. I take care of the minutest detail. That time the character is important more than my life. Being a typical Virgo, I like things to be perfect," he said.

Beyond his acting skills and perfect comic timing, Deven is also famous for directing popular 2005 sitcom "Sarabhai vs Sarabhai".

The actor-director has recently started his journey as a producer with "Bhai Bhaiya Brother" on Sab TV.

As an actor he has set of criterion that he takes into account before signing up for a show.

"The first thing I see is how I much will I enjoy doing this particular character. I love getting into the skin of the character. I should be able to enjoy the character - be it emotional or comedy.

"Second, is how is the overall project, how much importance does the character that I am to play has in the entire story? And last but not the least is director, producer, star cast and the channel," he said.

A director himself, when Deven works for another director, he doesn't mind giving his inputs.

"I have majorly done important roles and my involvement has always been quite a lot. I make a good rapport with the director, so that if I have a suggestion I can politely share my idea and then if he likes he implies, if not then it is fine. And I do as he wants to do," he said.