Actor Dev Mohan made a remarkable debut in 2020 with the Malayalam film Sufiyum Sujatayum, an opportunity that many aspire to achieve. During a period when cinemas were closed, his film was released on Prime Video, successfully reaching its audience as people were confined to their homes.

In spite of the overwhelming amount of content available, the film garnered significant attention, leading many to inquire about the character of the titular Sufi. Dev expresses that, as a film enthusiast, he would have preferred to make his debut on the big screen; however, he remains grateful for the opportunity. Having also ventured into Telugu cinema, Dev discusses with Hindustan Times his journey as an actor, his forthcoming projects, and his perspective on how the Malayalam film industry can achieve a balance between critical acclaim and box office performance, among other topics.

On his Malayalam and Telugu debuts

Sufiyum Sujatayum garnered a variety of reviews upon its release; however, Dev experienced an overwhelming wave of affection that he had never encountered before. “When I learned that the film would be released on an OTT platform, I felt a sense of worry and disappointment. We all grew up watching movies in theaters, didn’t we? At that time, India lacked a culture of digital releases. It was only later that I understood how, as an actor, this format provided me with an extensive reach in a brief period. I likely would not have achieved that with a traditional theatrical release,” he articulates.

Subsequently, Dev took on a significant role in Panthrandu in 2022 before making his Telugu debut as Dushyanta in the 2023 film Shaakunthalam. Regrettably, this debut did not meet expectations, as the film received moderate reviews. “Samantha Ruth Prabhu was my co-star in my second leading role. It was a chance to participate in a mythological film, so I certainly did not want to decline. The outcome was something none of us anticipated, but it taught me to be prepared for the fluctuations inherent in this industry,” the actor reflects.

Moving ahead with good work

Dev has since acted in the 2023 film Pulli and the 2024 film Parakramam. He is now returning to Telugu with Rainbow and Sathi Leelavathi, starring Rashmika Mandanna and Lavanya Tripathi, respectively. The actor will also debut in Tamil with a bi-lingual film starring Arya. Ask him about working in various languages, and Dev says he doesn’t believe in limiting himself to one language. “It’s a conscious choice,” he explains.

“When I acted in Shaakunthalam, it was really tough for me to learn Telugu words that were bookish. But that just means that when I do social films now, it’s much easier for me because it’s not as shuddh,” he says, adding, “Which is why I believe in being open to everything; I don’t limit myself to specific roles or genre. As long as what the writer says excites me, it’s enough for me to say yes, irrespective of the language.”

The actor is also set to appear in a Malayalam web series titled Eyes, which he is enthusiastic about, as it marks his debut in this medium. He expresses, "I seek opportunities that challenge me or provide new experiences. I aim to avoid redundancy, even in familiar territory."

Challenges in the Malayalam film industry’s

Dev commenced his career in the Mollywood film industry and remains optimistic about the future. Despite achieving significant success with films such as Manjummel Boys and Premalu last year, the industry faced a substantial loss of ₹700 crore.

When asked about strategies to align financial performance with critical acclaim, Dev remarks, “Kerala, being a small state with a population of 3.5 crore, makes it impractical to allocate ₹100 crore for a single film. Successful films often resonate with themes that appeal to audiences in regions like Telangana or Tamil Nadu. Additionally, I perceive that the local audience for our films in Kerala is limited, and the movie-watching culture differs.”

Dev further notes that production budgets are on the rise as filmmakers aspire to achieve significant returns. “Currently, films with budgets of ₹20-30 crore are emerging in Malayalam cinema, as there is confidence in attracting an audience. My collaboration with Arya involves a substantial budget, as does L2: Empuraan, based on what I have heard. The success of Baahubali has demonstrated that with determination, anything is achievable. I am confident that the Malayalam film industry will also thrive when the emphasis is placed solely on investing the necessary amount for each film,” he concludes.

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