“Pechi has created a great identity for me” – Actor Dev Ramnath

Chennai: Tamil cinema is witnessing the arrival of many fresh heroes, but still, there is a dearth of actors, who retain their presence in the industry. This is primarily because only a few of the newcomers manage to establish themselves in the industry. Among those who do, only a select few are able to instill confidence in the audience about their potential to secure a lasting place in the film world through their performances in initial projects. One such actor who has made a mark through the film “Pechi” is Dev Ramnath.

Recently released in theaters, “Pechi” has achieved significant success and is now receiving a warm reception on OTT platforms as well. Not only has the film made waves, but its lead actor, Dev Ramnath, has also captured the attention of Tamil cinema. He is currently busy with multiple film projects and web series.

Dev Ramnath, who has been on a journey for recognition through his own belief and hard work without any cinematic background, is now intensely focused on carving out his space in the film industry. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come his way, he’s actively creating them. He recently shared some insights about his upcoming projects with us.

‘Pechi’’ received substantial support from journalists, and it is due to their backing that the movie achieved significant success. This recognition has provided a sense of identity, for which I express my heartfelt gratitude. I have been striving for such acknowledgment for many years.

My aspiration is to act in films; however, I am aware that this is not an easy endeavor. While some individuals have succeeded in entering the film industry without any prior background, achieving such success is not as straightforward as it may seem. Nevertheless, I have resolved to pursue a career in cinema. I began my acting journey with advertisements and short films, and I was fortunate to receive an opportunity in the film “Vaayai Moodi Pesavum,” directed by Balaji Mohan. It was through this film that I made my debut as an actor. Following that, I acted in “Oru Naal Koothu,” which featured cinematography by Gokul Benoy. It was through the friendship we developed during that time that he offered me a role in his production, “Pechi.”

Recently, I appeared as a friend of Arjun Das in the film ‘Por.’ I portrayed the son of Vivek in the movie ‘Vellai Pookkal’ and took on a leading role in the web series ‘Sweet Karam Coffee.’ I have been involved in numerous projects. During the lockdown period, I acted in a YouTube series titled ‘I Hate You, I Love You,’ which received an overwhelming response. This series, which started quite modestly, was produced and designed by me, and it surpassed 25 million viewers. While I have participated in films and web series, it is ‘Speech’ that has truly introduced me to the audience.

Acting in the film “Pechi’ was an immensely rewarding experience. I anticipated that working alongside seasoned actors like Bala Saravanan would provide me with significant learning opportunities. However, it was particularly gratifying when Bala Saravanan praised my performance in the climax, stating that it was exceptional. Currently, I have begun to receive numerous opportunities, and at the same time, I am actively engaged in creating opportunities for myself.

I am currently acting in a web series for a leading OTT platform, as well as playing the lead role in a film. Additionally, I am set to produce a movie in collaboration with four successful directors, in which I will also star. We have been long-time friends and have been discussing the idea of creating a film together for quite some time; the moment to bring this vision to fruition has now arrived.

Despite so many years of experience, why has it taken you so long to achieve success as a hero?

Actor Dev Ramnath replies, “In the current landscape, placing trust in an individual within the film industry is a significant matter. Producers tend to focus more on the marketability of an actor rather than solely assessing their suitability for a role or their acting skills. They consider factors such as the actor’s market presence, whether their involvement will increase the value of satellite rights, and the potential for successful OTT ventures. I believe that opportunities based solely on talent have diminished. Furthermore, between 2010 and 2015, many newcomers emerged, but the circumstances then are not reflective of the present. This prolonged journey to establish my identity in the industry can be attributed to these changes. However, this is a common reality in cinema; if we dwell too much on these thoughts, we risk becoming irrelevant in this field.”

The film “Jallikattu,” directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, features music by Ilaiyaraaja and a screenplay by Thiagarajan Kumararaja. I was contracted for this collaboration, and filming took place over five days. However, the project was subsequently abandoned. Lijo Jose, one of India’s prominent directors, selected me through auditions, but differing perspectives on the story between the producer and the director led to the film’s halt. Nevertheless, I do not harbor any concerns regarding this outcome. During the five days of shooting, I gained valuable insights and had a profoundly enriching experience.

What’s the reason behind producing films while acting remains as your priority?

I entered the film industry with the aspiration of becoming an actor, and my journey has been focused on that goal. However, my foray into production is merely an endeavor to position myself as a lead. As a producer, I do not intend to simply invest in numerous projects; rather, I have produced around 100 advertisement films, which have provided me with valuable experience in production. With this experience, I plan to collaborate with my fellow filmmakers and investors to create a film, specifically for the actor Dev Ramnath. If one merely waits for opportunities, time will pass without any progress. In several films, significant scenes featuring my performances have been cut, and opportunities that should have been mine have often been awarded to others through recommendations.

You claim that recommendations dominate over the talents. Do you mean there is a lot of Nepotism in the Tamil industry?

Nepotism exists not only in cinema but across all sectors, manifesting in various forms. However, rather than merely labelling it as a flaw, one should contemplate how to achieve success despite its presence. If one were to consider nepotism, could individuals like Vijay Sethupathi and Sivakarthikeyan have attained their success? This is a thought I have never entertained. For a month, the director Lijo Jose was searching for an actor for a particular role, and my video was submitted through a cinematographer. Upon viewing it, the decision-maker concluded that I would be a suitable fit for the character and invited me to audition. I was given several scenes from the film to perform, and I found the experience enjoyable.

Which other directors, apart from debut filmmakers, would you like to act in films with?

My aspiration is to act in films directed by all filmmakers. However, I have a particular desire to work with directors such as Sudha Kongara and Vetrimaaran. The primary reason for this is the opportunity to learn a great deal while working on projects led by esteemed directors like Vetrimaaran. It is evident that to secure a role in their films, I must capture their attention, and my current projects are efforts in that direction.

At present, I am involved in a web series and two films, with announcements regarding these projects expected to be made soon. Following that, discussions are ongoing for potential roles in several other films.

It’s pretty evident that actor Dev Ramnath will reach greater heights in the industry, which is evident with his self-confidence and vigorousness.