Dev on stage. Picture by Aranya Sen

You are doing Sujit Mondal’s untitled film where you play a character with grey shades...

Yes, I play a drug addict in the film. He is rowdy and a lafanga and can go to any extent to do drugs. I am paired with Subhashree in the film (produced by Shree Venkatesh Films); we start shooting from end-February. The story is based in Calcutta. Sujit Mondal has asked me to lose weight for the role. We will also do a workshop before shooting.... My character isn’t out-and-out negative; it’s the circumstances that make him a grey character. He is not a bad boy by choice.

Won’t playing a negative character be risky at this stage of your career?

Why am I being asked this question? We actors are always in a tricky situation. When we keep doing the same thing, we are asked why we repeat ourselves. Now when I am doing something different, I am being asked why I am doing it! Well, I am doing it because every artiste wants to grow. I want to do something different now. After 12 films, don’t I have the right to do something different that challenges me as an actor? Besides, after so many box-office hits, I think I am in a position to experiment with my characters.

In life, it’s important to take risks. Nobody can guarantee if what I am doing is right or wrong but if I continue to do the same stuff then that can limit me as an actor. This is my fourth year in the industry and it doesn’t matter how good or bad an actor I am. My fate depends on the number of hits and flops. Filmmaking is a money-making business. I know the moment my films won’t give box-office returns, I will be written off. An actor’s life is full of insecurities.

What are you insecure about?

I don’t know what will happen to me next Friday! I am as good as my last film. Public memory is very short. Today they remember Dev for Shedin Dekha Hoyechhilo, tomorrow they will remember me for my next film.... I am a very, very insecure person. Insecurity has come with my success. I know I am not god, neither am I a machine. I know there will be a downfall but I will make sure that it happens 10 years later!

Subhashree has bagged a role after a long gap. Are you happy for her?

I am generally happy for the film. I am happy for myself that I have bagged a role that is so challenging. This film is going to be very different from what I have done so far. I am more bothered about myself, my look and my role, rather than be happy about my co-star. I am happy that Subhashree is back after a year-and-a-half. There’s definitely a comfort level with her and she is a super dancer.

There’s a buzz that you discourage Subhashree from doing films with other heroes...

Ore baba! That’s bullshit. Who am I to decide that? Had I been so powerful, wouldn’t I have done more films with her? And wouldn’t I have done 10 films a year instead of three? What Subhashree does with her life is entirely her call. Whoever is spreading such rumours needs to grow up. I can’t work with Subhashree all my life. She is doing films with other heroes too.

Raj Chakraborty, Ravi Kinnagi, Sujit Mondal, Rajib Kumar, Sujit Guha — pick your favourite director.

I can’t pick one because I am very attached to all of them. With Raviji (Kinnagi) I share a father-son relationship. We shared a flat for three years in Howrah since we did I Love You in 2007. So, the bond we share is different. Raj is more a friend to me than a director. I did three films (Challenge, Le Chakka and Dui Prithibi) with him and we understand each other very well. I have known Sujit Mondal for the last 10 years, he is a family friend. With Rajib, there’s an emotional bond and it has grown with Paglu (soon to release).... Sujitda (Guha) is a fantastic human being and is very young at heart.

For his next film Shatru, Raj has taken Jeet, not you...

Is it necessary that I do all of Raj’s films? I wish him all the best. I had read the script of Shatru and I thought only Jeetda fit the role. Besides, Raj and I are not husband and wife that we will do all films together! I am doing Raj’s next film for sure.

You’ve done quite a few item numbers — Laal juto paye, Krishna korle leela, Pantey taali, Le paglu. Which is your favourite?

My favourite would be Pantey taali from Chirodini… Tumi Je Aamar. It was my first item number and it became a hit. That was during the initial phase of my career and I desperately needed work. So, Pantey taali will always be special. But my recent favourite is Laal juto (Shedin Dekha Hoyechhilo) because it’s become such a hit and it’s still fresh in my mind.

These days you seem to be more close to Arijit Dutta (exhibitor-distributor) than the Shree Venkatesh Films team with whom you have done most of your films...

I have been close to him since I came to Calcutta. I don’t have any friends in Calcutta na... and Dadulda (Arijit) is a very good friend. I like him; he is very adventurous and has introduced me to fishing. Whenever I have time, I go fishing with him in Baruipur. The last time we went fishing I caught a 12kg katla!

What kind of feedback are you getting for Shedin Dekha Hoyechhilo?

Good. The film is in its fourth week and is doing good business. After Dui Prithibi, this was my solo hero film and it was like a do-or-die situation for me. I was back to being the romantic hero from my I Love You days, so I worked really hard.

After 12 films, how much do you think you’ve improved?

I don’t think I have improved hugely as an actor but I think people have started taking me seriously. I am a little more confident. Earlier, I would be very nervous playing characters. Now I am confident.