Talented thespian Deven Bhojani, who will be back on TV as Anna in SAB TV’s upcoming daily Bhakharwadi, feels the series is a slice of life show with two families playing a major part in it
Commenting on the show and his character, he shares, “It is a slice of life show and I feel really happy with the way it is being made as there are such amazing characters, interpersonal relationships and the detailing as well. These things have been underlined so well in the writing itself that it becomes easier for us actors to execute them. I personally have the habit of interacting with the makers, writers and the director to understand how to enhance and develop my character and I did that for Bhakharwadi as well. We also held a workshop of a few days, with the whole team, which helped break the ice between the entire cast and understand each other better. Anna is the protagonist of this story and a very principled man. He is very strict and actually belongs to the old world as he gives a lot of importance to his values.”
Talking about working again with Aatish Kapadia and JD Majethia with Bhakharwadi, he says, “We have done umpteen number of shows together and hence we (including Paresh Ganatra), have this great rapport; we are like brothers. So, there is an ease and a comfort level with each other which also helps the character and the show as we are able to tell each other. Very frankly, if we disagree with something we even argue, but it is all taken very sportingly. However, since I am not directing this show, I know where to draw the line and take ahead improvisations in my character only with my director’s permission, giving that respect to the chair. It all actually starts with the writer, which here is Aatish; he is the germ. He creates his characters as is own babies. I have also observed JD contributing a lot towards the creative side. So, I’m quite as much enjoying this show.”
Having given hits like Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Khichdi and Baa Bahu aur Baby, when we ask what his expectations from Bhakharwadi are, he avers, “I am proud to be associated with all these shows as I was involved to a major extent to all these three shows. All of them were critically acclaimed and the irony is that they were far apart from each other in concept. I feel Bhakharwadi will create its own genre which will be very unique and that will be the USP of the show. The characters are as such which you would have hardly scene earlier on television and I am trying my best in terms of putting my best foot forward and doing justice to the character.”
Deven says he was missing acting. “I loved my character. Apart from the lingo quirk, there are many other quirks in this show, along with the characterization, that lured me to do this role. I have been off radar as an actor for quite a while. I have been busy as a director whether it was for a couple of TV shows or with my feature film Commando 2, last year. The reason for this was firstly, I was not keen on working more as an actor and secondly, I wasn’t getting such projects that would make me give up direction and take up something as an actor. So, considering all this, when Aatish and JD offered me this character, they were also sceptical whether I would say yes to acting or not. Aatish just told me one line of the show and requested me to hear the story out. I was very impressed with what I heard over call and loved it instantly when he explained everything about the character to me in detail. I felt that I haven’t done anything like this previously on television and decided to take a break from directing, for this show as I was actually missing acting and the idea of getting into someone else’s skin. Also, the idea of working again with Aatish, JD and Paresh excited me as we always have great time together.”
We wish him success.
