Rahul Dev made his cinematic debut in 2000, venturing into the world of films with the movie Champion. His performance as the antagonist in that film brought him instant recognition—but at a cost. The role, while successful, carved a path he hadn’t anticipated: that of the perpetual villain. In a candid interview with SCREEN, Rahul opened up about his Bollywood journey that never quite took off the way he’d hoped. Despite being part of notable projects, he still feels like his big moment is yet to come.
Dreams Deferred, Not Denied
Reflecting on his early days, Dev revealed that he never stepped into the industry with lofty ambitions. “I didn’t arrive with stars in my eyes,” he said. “I just wanted consistent work.” A self-described ordinary guy from Delhi with no filmi connections, Rahul often felt out of place. “Many times, I’ve felt like I haven’t found solid ground, like I missed that one role that could change everything,” he admitted. He pointed out how unrealistic mainstream cinema can be, contrasting it with the authenticity of real life.
The Curse of Success in a Single Shade
When asked about being slotted into negative roles repeatedly, Rahul was honest: “At that time, if you succeeded in a particular image, especially a villainous one, the industry wouldn’t see you as anything else.” He clarified that playing antagonists wasn’t the problem—it was being only offered those roles that became creatively suffocating. “It was the filmmakers who confined me, not the public,” he stressed. “Audiences never got to see me in a different light.”
Crossing Borders, Not Expectations
Rahul’s typecasting didn't end in Bollywood. His dark characters were soon echoed in South Indian films like Simhadri, Mass, Billa, Aathi, and notably, Vedalam and Good Bad Ugly, where he shared screen space with Tamil icon Ajith Kumar. Speaking of Ajith, Rahul's voice warmed with genuine admiration: “Working with Ajith ji again was a joy. He’s not just a star in Tamil cinema—he’s respected across India. Humble, generous, and deeply human.”
The Man Behind the Star
One memory stood out sharply for Rahul. A grieving couple had visited the sets. “Ajith met them at their lowest. He spoke with them kindly, offering comfort without fanfare. He’s made of something rare,” Rahul shared. “I remember shooting the climax scene with him amidst Durga Puja in Calcutta. We were shooting nights—7 pm to 5 am. After a whole night’s work, he would then cook upma, idlis, and many other dishes every day. Not just for me, for the whole unit – around 70-80 people. When I am saying he would cook, he would be at the helm of things, and not just supervising. He used to chop the onions and do everything on his own,”
An Actor, A Cook, A Friend
On their very first meeting, Ajith asked Rahul if he wanted anything from his home. Rahul casually replied, “Anything.” The next day, Ajith appeared with two large lunch boxes filled with home-cooked dishes. “That wasn’t formality. That was heartfelt warmth,” Rahul recalled.
Ajith’s Recent Outings
Meanwhile, Ajith’s recent films, Vidaamuyarchi and Good Bad Ugly, both starring Trisha Krishnan, didn’t make waves at the box office.
Dreams Deferred, Not Denied
Reflecting on his early days, Dev revealed that he never stepped into the industry with lofty ambitions. “I didn’t arrive with stars in my eyes,” he said. “I just wanted consistent work.” A self-described ordinary guy from Delhi with no filmi connections, Rahul often felt out of place. “Many times, I’ve felt like I haven’t found solid ground, like I missed that one role that could change everything,” he admitted. He pointed out how unrealistic mainstream cinema can be, contrasting it with the authenticity of real life.
The Curse of Success in a Single Shade
When asked about being slotted into negative roles repeatedly, Rahul was honest: “At that time, if you succeeded in a particular image, especially a villainous one, the industry wouldn’t see you as anything else.” He clarified that playing antagonists wasn’t the problem—it was being only offered those roles that became creatively suffocating. “It was the filmmakers who confined me, not the public,” he stressed. “Audiences never got to see me in a different light.”
Crossing Borders, Not Expectations
Rahul’s typecasting didn't end in Bollywood. His dark characters were soon echoed in South Indian films like Simhadri, Mass, Billa, Aathi, and notably, Vedalam and Good Bad Ugly, where he shared screen space with Tamil icon Ajith Kumar. Speaking of Ajith, Rahul's voice warmed with genuine admiration: “Working with Ajith ji again was a joy. He’s not just a star in Tamil cinema—he’s respected across India. Humble, generous, and deeply human.”
The Man Behind the Star
One memory stood out sharply for Rahul. A grieving couple had visited the sets. “Ajith met them at their lowest. He spoke with them kindly, offering comfort without fanfare. He’s made of something rare,” Rahul shared. “I remember shooting the climax scene with him amidst Durga Puja in Calcutta. We were shooting nights—7 pm to 5 am. After a whole night’s work, he would then cook upma, idlis, and many other dishes every day. Not just for me, for the whole unit – around 70-80 people. When I am saying he would cook, he would be at the helm of things, and not just supervising. He used to chop the onions and do everything on his own,”
An Actor, A Cook, A Friend
On their very first meeting, Ajith asked Rahul if he wanted anything from his home. Rahul casually replied, “Anything.” The next day, Ajith appeared with two large lunch boxes filled with home-cooked dishes. “That wasn’t formality. That was heartfelt warmth,” Rahul recalled.
Ajith’s Recent Outings
Meanwhile, Ajith’s recent films, Vidaamuyarchi and Good Bad Ugly, both starring Trisha Krishnan, didn’t make waves at the box office.
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