40 I I MAR 19
CLUSIVED
ivyenndu is the perfect
definition of an actor
with multidimensional
layers that seem to
be unwinding one
movie at a time. From
his first role as Liquid to his latest
badass role as Munna in Mirzapur,
Divyenndu has made an impact
that could only qualify as a massive
breakthrough in the film industry. In a
refreshingly honest conversation with
Smriti Raizada, Divyenndu shares
his future projects and his journey
through the years!: Divyenndu is a significant name
in the industry now. Tell us about a
moment when you knew that life wasgoing to change for good.
PKP helped me alot in terms of
recognition. I got awards, accolades
and everything a newcomer could
ask for. I was really happy with the
response my character got and I felt
like I touched an emotional chord
with a lot of audiences. I was really
just overwhelmed with the whole
thing, which I guess I needed as it
was quite a tricky character for a
newcomer. I’m happy that people
still talk about that performance
and it brings a smile on their faces
whenever they meet me.: Was acting a childhood passion
or is it something you discovered
along the way?Acting came very naturally to me. I
think it was always a default setting on
my system. I never had to think about
it. It became more and more serious
as I grew.: How has life turned around
for you after Pyaar Ka Punchnama?
Can you draw parallels to Liq uid’s
character in real life?
I can’t really draw any parallels with
Liquid. He was a really emotional
guy and very vocal about his feelings
which I think I am not. There’s a
certain innocence in the character
which I seem to have lost after
working for 6-7 years in the industry.
I believe awareness takes away your
innocence! But would really want to
regain it sometime.: Was it difficult to break the
perception of a comic actor while
preparing and shooting for Munna
in Mirzapur?
Audiences make perceptions, it’s a
fact. An actor should refrain himself
from thinking too much about it.
I always see myself just as an actor
and not a particular character. You
have to live the character you are
playing and should only concentrate
on that. While performing Munna,
I was only reacting like him and
not thinking about the response or
anything else.: What’s your idea of a
dream role?
My idea of a dream role would be to
play a character that challenges me,
with a director who truly understands
me as a performer. If I get to play
something Supernatural that would
be fun!: What role does tech play in your
life? Are there any gadgets you’re
addicted to?
Technology interests me a great deal
but only if it offers something new and
by new I don’t mean higher resolution
or more memory space but something
which breaks boundaries. Although,
I also think being too dependent on
tech can make us dumb. No, I don’t
think I am too addicted to any gadget
per say, I keep my safe distance
from it.: You’ve worked with Shree
Narayan twice; Toilet: Ek Prem
Katha and Batti Gul Meter Chalu,
both movies revolving around social
problems in India. Tell us about a
social cause that you strongly
stand for.
I feel very strongly about two social
causes. One is Education which I think
is the only way forward. If we reallyTRENDSETTER
Of THe MOnTH
DIvyENNDU