Picture by Rashbehari Das; Make-up: Rajat; Styling: Kaushik

DEV on SUBHASHREE

What was your first thought when you first met Subhashree?

Baba, meyeta ki mota! (laughs). Honestly, I thought, my god, she has to reduce!

What’s Subhashree’s sex quotient?

Ummm.... I will give her five on 10. I have seen sexy girls and I don’t think Subhashree has sex appeal.

The best thing about Subhashree…

She never takes part in gossip. I have seen her leaving whenever people start gossiping.

The worst thing about Subhashree…

She giggles when she is happy, she giggles when she is sad, she giggles when she is angry, she giggles when she is nervous…. We are all tired of her giggling at the slightest provocation.

One thing about Subhashree you want to change…

Wait, wait, wait! Why would I want her to change? Is she my wife or what? We have worked together in two back-to-back films and we are friends now. That’s all.

Tell us about your off-screen relationship…

We keep in touch. For instance, I was out of Calcutta when Poran Jai Joliya Re released. So I would call her to find out how the film was doing. But let me clarify that we are only ‘good friends’ despite what you may hear about us. I have a dream girl in my mind and Subhashree doesn’t fit into that.... I have very few friends in Calcutta. Shrabanti (his Dujone co-star), her husband Rajib and Koel (Mullick) are my friends. We go out for dinner together. But I never go out with Subhashree.... At first I was surprised when people said we were dating. But now I understand that it helps promote a film and it’s part of the game.

The best compliment you’ve got from Subhashree...

She once told t2 that Dev is the hottest actor around. That bowled me over!

What makes you and Subhashree a hot screen jodi?

I think it’s because of the way Subhashree carries herself on screen. She is so comfortable prancing around in hot pants and looking the mod girl, though in real life she is not as hot as she is on screen.... She has fire within her, she is a good dancer and we are always competing with each other. I don’t have to work too hard in the song sequences because I know Subhashree will give her 60 per cent and I can manage the rest 40 per cent.

While shooting for Poran Jai, Raviji (Kinnagi, director) told us that he wanted a rocking chemistry and so we must discuss every scene before the shot. Malaysia played a major role in bringing us closer. Every night we would discuss our scenes. But don’t read between the lines as we also had co-artistes in those sessions!

Do you fight as friends?

We used to fight a lot. Things turned really bad in Malaysia as we fought over something and didn’t speak to each other for a week till Raviji intervened.

Are you comfortable doing intimate scenes with Subhashree?

I can never be comfortable doing intimate scenes. I am scared and I know I won’t be able to carry it off. My limit is to just come close to my heroines and hug. That’s it. I will never do intimate scenes even if the script demands it.

SUBHASHREE ON DEV

What was your first thought when you first met him?

I had seen Dev’s films before meeting him for Challenge. My first thought was: ‘He is perfect!’

The sexiest thing about Dev...

He has great eyes!

What’s his sex quotient?

Nine on 10!

The best thing about Dev...

He doesn’t wear a mask. He is a very sorted out guy... very straightforward, very genuine. He is fun-loving too... and very, very down to earth. He is extremely dedicated and helpful at the workplace. He is a good human being.

The worst thing about Dev…

He fights with me. Though they are casual fights, but when we fight we split into two groups. And when Dev is in a group, he pulls my leg. That is something I don’t like.

One thing about Dev you want to change…

Nothing. He is perfect!

What’s your off-screen relationship?

We are very good friends. Maane jake bole bhishon bhishon bhalo bondhu. I loved working with him in Challenge and Poran Jai Joliya Re. Now I am waiting for another film with Dev.

The best compliment you’ve got from Dev...

He never praises me in front of other people. Maybe he does when I am not around! The best compliment so far was when I lost weight for Challenge. He looked at me and said, ‘Bah! Tumi toh anek weight lose korechho!’ Recently I saw him giving an interview to a TV channel where he said, ‘Subhashree is the best.’ That was really touching.

How comfortable are you doing intimate scenes with him…

I am very comfortable now though I was not earlier. There’s a scene in Challenge where I had to hug Dev and before the shot I was really nervous and hesitant. When Dev realised it, he called me and said, ‘Don’t hesitate otherwise the scene will look mechanical.’ So we discussed how to do it and the shot was okayed.

Would you be game for a smooch/liplock/bed scene with Dev?

If it goes with the script and the situation, then maybe I will prepare myself mentally.