Actor Devas Dikshit Impresses in ZEE5’s Bhagwat alongside Arshad Warsi

Actor Devas Dikshit captivates audiences in ZEE5’s Bhagwat, sharing the screen with Arshad Warsi. In this exclusive interview, he opens up about his journey, creative challenges, and the depth behind his impressive performance in the series.

What was it like sharing the screen with two actors known for such distinctive styles — Arshad Warsi and Jitendra Kumar?

Devas Dikshit: I consider myself lucky that I got a chance to work with them. I’ve seen Arshad while growing up. I used to mimic him. It was a lot of fun working with him in BHAGWAT. He has a very good energy and is a lovely co-actor.

We spoke a lot about his previous roles and he shared his experiences and stories with me on set. One the other hand Jitendra and I had relatively fewer scenes. But whatever we shared is very close to me. I think he is a very calm person. We spoke about his days at IIT.

SI Ashok Mahto is a complex, morally conflicted character. What was your approach to understanding and portraying his internal struggles?

Devas Dikshit: The way I see it, Mahto is like any other human being. He is complex. Mahto is carefree and similar to any other cop you come across. He knows the system and bow to it.

The moment Bhagwat comes to Robertsganj, he starts to change. For me this transition was very challenging. I wanted to make subtle changes in my behaviour to portray it . To me, silence in any scene is the most important and crucial moment.

I used Awadhi dialect to make him more authentic. I gained a few kilos and kept a moustache to add detailing to the character.

The series has a gritty realism to it — how did you balance restraint with emotional intensity in your performance?

Devas Dikshit: I think it comes with experience. The more you work, the more you understand the format and form of the storytelling. Every director has their own vision. Every story has its own universe. As an actor, it’s our job to understand it and play accordingly.

Coming from Kanpur, how has your small-town upbringing shaped the artist you are today?

Devas Dikshit: Yes I am from Kanpur, though I have hardly lived there. I have lived all over the country as my father had a transferable job. We kept switching cities. I’ve lived in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Delhi.

I’ve seen different cultures, dialects and food. I’ve understood their politics over a period of time. This exposure to the world has really helped me in creating the characters I do. It is like a bank, that is there somewhere in my subconscious.

What challenges did you face moving from theatre to digital platforms, and how did you overcome them?

Devas Dikshit: Well, honestly speaking it was a difficult task. Initially, I didn’t even realise that I needed to change my acting craft as per the medium. It was in an acting class at Film and Television institute of India, Pune when I realised that theatre and film are two very different mediums.

Before FTII, Pune I had an extensive theatre experience in Delhi. It had gone deep in my system. So to know it, acknowledge it and then to break it, was very challenging.

It was my days at my course at FTII which helped me a lot. We got to practice our craft on camera by working in various diploma films at FTII.

Your theatre background is often cited as a core strength. In what ways does that training inform your screen acting today?

Devas Dikshit: For someone like me, who has no family history in films or theatre, it has been very challenging. It was my theatre days during 2007 till 2013 in Delhi which taught me the basics of performance.

How to read a script, your character, interpretations – everything theatre taught me. I was with the Kshitij Theatre group in Delhi.

They  gave me a platform to learn and practice. Acting shifted from being a hobby to a profession because of my training in theatre. Later on I joined FTII and explored more about the craft and sharpened it.

Are you interested in exploring genres outside of crime and drama?

Devas Dikshit: Absolutely. I want to do everything, every genre. I want to be versatile. My inspiration is Om Puri.

How do you want to define your artistic identity in the next phase of your career?

Devas Dikshit: Initially I want to be seen. I want to do primary parts in the upcoming stories. I want to be a part of entertaining comedies as well as meaningful drama. I don’t want to be stuck in a particular genre or character.

I want people to cast me in major parts, be it positive or negative. I want people to remember my name. I want them to feel assured that, if I’m there in any project, they’ll be entertained and I will bring something new everytime my audience watches me.

Devas Dikshit’s charm and dedication shine through both on-screen and off. His insights into Bhagwat reveal a thoughtful artist committed to authenticity. Audiences can expect more compelling performances from this rising talent in the years ahead.

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