Exclusive! “I had a very personal connection with this character because I have been a teacher in a past.” Gulshan Devaiah on the X-factor of his character in Shiksha Mandal

MUMBAI: Gulshan Devaiah, Gauahar Khan, and Pawan Malhotra star in Shiksha Mandal, an Indian Hindi-language crime drama web series directed by Syed Ahmad Afzal. The show revolves around the suspense and thrilling events that ensue after the investigation into India's biggest medical entrance exam fraud begins streaming on MX Player on 15 September 2022. 

Gulshan Devaiah rose to fame with films like Hunter, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, Ram-Leela, etc. He is often regarded as one of the most prolific actors with expertise in playing roles that dark and eccentric roles. 

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The most notable roles that Devaiah has played are in Shaitan, Hate Story, and Hunterrr. In Shaitan, he received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. He was also seen in Commando 3, Afsos, Duranga.  

TellyChakkar spoke to the star about how he selects roles, and what he thought was the X-factor in his character in Shiksha Mandal.

What are the essential things that make or break the decision for you, to play a certain role or choose a certain script?

Story and the character those two probably my focus when I choose to play a role. The story has to be interesting and I have to be interested in playing that character. I have to be genuinely interested in the story. All the other factors are negotiable but these two are non-negotiable for me. 

Talking about characters and the connections, What was the connection that you felt with your character in Shiksha Mandal, what was the X-factor about your role in the series?

I had a very personal connection with this character because I have been a teacher in a past, I used to teach for 3-4 years. I play a teacher in the series, and my character is a very simple, ordinary man. But sometimes situations and circumstances in life just happen to force a simple man to become a hero. My character goes through that graph, and I found that very interesting. I also felt that in my career right now and with the choice of content I am being a part of, this was a very interesting role to play and I’ve tried to do that with all honesty and sincerity.

Just Like before the results of an exam, the pressure that we feel becomes so extreme. Do you feel the same kind of pressure when a project of yours is about to release, what are the nerves like?

It’s been a while since I have been nervous for a release, I have calmed down now. It’s been 11 years now and my focus is usually on the process. One should have fun during the process. As long as you feel that you are doing something and also contributing, it is fine, because the other factors are not really in your control.

Shiksha Mandal also stars Gauahar Khan and Pavan Raj Malhotra. Gulshan, who is known for playing notable roles in Shaitan, Hate Story, and Hunterrr, is playing a young hard-working man, who is a teacher and runs a coaching institute.

On the other hand, veteran actor Pavan Raj Malhotra is playing an antagonist in the series, while Gauahar plays a cop who investigates the scam.

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