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Deven Bhojani's USP may be comedy, but now he's tired of being typecast as a comedian
NEHAL PAREKH
Small screen rib-tickler Deven Bhojani enjoys keeping people in splits. At a time when saas-bahu tearjerkers have relegated most male protagonists to being part of the side show, Deven's managed to impress as the autistic Gattu in the weekend show Baa, Bahu Aur Baby. For the actor, comedy is clearly a comfort zone. After playing cameos in films, and dabbling in theatre, Deven has shifted most of his focus to television for the time being. After working as a salesman in a sodamaker company and trying his hand at being a real estate agent, it took one phone call from film maker Mansoor Khan for a role
in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar to change the course of Deven's life. He decided to take up acting as a profession.
Deven's soapbox trek started with Malgudi Days, followed by an important role in Dekh Bhai Dekh, and cameos in Office Office and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. The one constant in Deven's life has been his growing popularity index. So how did it all begin? "For me acting was a hobby. I used to participate in dramas at the college level. I am lucky my interest in acting became a career option for me."
The one thing that Deven misses in life right now is theatre. Television leaves him with very little time to follow his heart and do more theatre. "I miss my theatre days a lot. I would like to be a part of it again. I like doing theatre for the instant responses that I get from audience."
Deven confesses that he doesn't like doing films anymore. "I don't get too many good roles. With the hero playing several roles — villain, comedian — that doesn't leave much room for people like us!" Shedding the comic actor tag isn't easy, but Deven insists that he is trying. "I know I am being typecast as a comedian. So I am trying to change my image." A devoted family man, Deven believes in taking at least two to three breaks in a year "to spend time with family" and recharge himself.
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