What we got to know about Dev
- Height: 6’1’’
- Weight: 90kg
- Sleeps: Two to three hours at night (takes power naps during breaks)
- Prays for: 48-hour days
- Works out in: RCGC
- Hooked to: Fishing
- Is both: Achievement-oriented and balanced
After a tour of the 54A Sarat Bose Road mental wellness clinic and the flagging off of Addlife Caring Minds on Wheels, their newest initiative, the actor-turned-Trinamul MP, settled down for a chat with t2.
So, what did you discover about yourself today?
(Laughs) I think I know myself and I am happy with whatever I am today.
What is a stress buster for you?
I sleep. I just switch on some music and go off to sleep. (‘What is me-time for you?’ asked Minu Budhia) Me- time is sleeping time for me. I hardly sleep for two or three hours.
And you survive on that?
I survive. I have so much going on. I am a politician. I have such a lot to do. I have my script-readings and planning for my films. I often pray for 48-hour days. (‘So, your girlfriend doesn’t fight?’ laughed Minu)
Who is your girlfriend?
My work! (Everyone goes LOL)
What music do you listen to?
Anything which is on my phone… Arijit Singh, Kishore Kumar, any good number.
Your mantra for juggling films and politics?
Just be yourself. Be normal and everything will be fine.
What stresses you out the most?
When my mom calls me up and asks, ‘When will you return home?’ Then I know I’ve had it!
Don’t you wish for a life of less stress?
The life I lead, it’s very difficult to complain.... There are so many people who want to live my life.... There are so many politicians who want to be MPs.... It’s easy to complain, but you have to understand that the life you are leading is a dream for millions.
So, you are living your dream life?
Of course! It’s more than a dream.
There’s nothing that you would change?
Nothing! I am happy…
What more do you want from life?
Not more… I want to keep this going for the next 20 years. That’s my challenge. I want to be me.
What is ‘being Dev’?
Being loved by everyone. In the last one-and-a-half years, I have proved myself by doing so many things. Neither being an actor nor a politician has changed me. Nothing has changed me. I think this is my 10th year in Calcutta and those who know me from Day One, they still believe that I am the same. That’s important.
What is a typical Sunday for you?
I go fishing to Baruipur. Dadulda (Arijit Dutta of Priya cinema) got me hooked to it. It’s a passion. It helps increase concentration. On the second Sunday of the month, we don’t work. So, on one such Sunday, I got up at noon and I was like, ‘There is nothing to do! No problems to solve!’ I am used to multitasking. If I don’t get to do that, I get bored.
Minu, can you read his mind?
Dev: Please go ahead!
Minu: From what I can see, he is simple and genuine. He should spend more me-time. He should sleep at least four hours and not two! You should sleep in the car.
Dev: I do! If I get a 30-minute break at a shoot, I sleep. I sleep easily. Power naps help, otherwise I get irritated.
Saionee Chakraborty
