Dev Gill: Happy being the bad guy - TeluguPeople.com News

Hyderabad: Hyderabad has turned out to be qui'te luc'ky for Dev Gill. 'Th'is city has given me everything. My wife who I had dated for six years hails from Hyder'abad, the same city where I began my career as an actor. So I share a very special bond with this city,' he says.

Born and raised in Pune, Dev was in his second year of graduation when he was shortlisted for the Gladrags's Man Hunt in 1999. 'I ended up as the fou'rth runner up and moved to Mumbai, where I took up modelling. But acting is what I really wanted to do following which I joined theatre,' he admits.

His acting career began as a villain in the 2008 release Krishnarjuna. It was a lucky co-incidence that he got to work in the film. Sonu Sood was supposed to do the film but he had to back out due to some date issues. This proved lucky for Dev as he got called for the audition. 'I was a little hesitant initially as I could not speak the language. I auditioned for it nevertheless and fortunately was offered the role,' he shares.

It was Krishnarjuna that lead him to Magadheera, which established him as a villain to reckon with. 'Mohan Babu, recommended me to Rajamouli who was then looking out for someone to play Randev Billa. I auditioned for the role and got shortlisted for it,' he recalls.

'I will always be grateful to Rajamouli for giving me such a fantastic opportunity. As far as I am concerned he is the man who gave me a new life and is like a God to me,' he adds.

The film went on to become the biggest hit in the history of Telugu cinema and he walked away with quite a few accolades himself. 'I was a nobody when I walked into the premiere, and when I came out of it, Dev Gill was famous in Hyderabad,' he beams.

Dev is quite happy playing the bad guy. 'I love the challenge of playing a bad guy. You have a whole different range of emotions to play with,' he explains.

He is currently playing a negative role opposite Ram Charan Tej in his upcoming flick, Rachcha. 'I have quite a powerful negative role in the film and have a lot of duels with Ram Charan. I just hope that this film will also turn out to be a huge success like Magadheera,' he says. Prakash Raj and Mukesh Rishi are also giving him company in the film.

He has made successful forays into Tamil and Kannada films as well. 'I feel blessed that the movie-loving audience of South India have accepted me as an actor, considering that I am not even from here. I just want to make the best of every opportunity that comes my way,' he offers.

However, Dev is not all about acting. He is also a successful entrepreneur who owns a chain of spas and salons in Pune besides a couple of gymnasiums.

'Well business was something that happened by accident. It was on my dad's insistence. But now I have 80 people working under me and their livelihood depends on the business. I just pray to God that he gives me enough to pay those people on time,' he confesses.