Gagan Dev Riar: Everything I Could Do In 바카라˜Scam 2003바카라™ Was Because Of My Extensive Theatre Background

After backing engaging dramas like 바카라˜Scam 1992바카라™ and 바카라˜Scoop바카라™, director Hansal Mehta is all set to enthral the audience with another entertaining drama titled 바카라˜Scam 2003: The Telgi Story바카라™, which is based on the story of Abdul Karim Telgi. For the unversed, Telgi was the man responsible for the 2003 Stamp Paper scam worth around Rs 30,000 crore. 

The show, which is directed by Tushar Hiranandani, features Gagan Dev Riar as the mastermind behind the 2003 India Stamp Paper Counterfeiting Scam. 바카라˜Scam 2003바카라™ is the second instalment in the Scam franchise, which is created by Hansal Mehta. 

Ahead of the show바카라™s release on September 1 on SonyLIV, Gagan Dev Riar, who has been part of 바카라˜Sonchiriya바카라™ and 바카라˜A Suitable Boy바카라™, got candid about playing Telgi, in an exclusive chat with Outlook India. 

Excerpts from the interview:

You are all set to play the lead in 바카라˜Scam 2003: The Telgi Story바카라™. How excited are you considering the previous instalment of the show was a huge hit?

I am very excited, and the excitement has doubled because I am working with beautiful people like Hansal Mehta, and I have the chance to work with some amazing co-stars. It is a big opportunity for me, so yes, butterflies in my stomach.

After the success of 바카라˜Scam 1992바카라™, the makers were quick to announce a second season. Tell us how were you finalised for the role?

I believe Hansal sir saw me in my earlier works, like 바카라˜Sonchiriya바카라™ and 바카라˜A Suitable Boy바카라™. And he thought I was fit for the role. I got a call from Mukesh Chhabra (casting director) one day and he asked me to audition for the role. So, that바카라™s how it happened. 

With the success of the previous show, there comes an added responsibility. And since the details of the scam were already out there, how did you prepare for the role? 

Some details were already out there, and for someone like me, I was not aware of most of the things. So, firstly, I read the script to know all the details, then from there, I followed Hansal sir바카라™s guidance to etch the character of Telgi - how he talked, walked and his overall look. I gained weight, went to Khanapur to have a gist of how people spoke, and then I put it all in the script. I looked at his pictures and videos, how he speaks etc. Whatever information was out there, and I stitched everything together. 

The show is directed by Tushar Hiranandani, with Hansal Mehta serving as the co-director. How was it to work with them?

They both have their unique styles, and in 바카라˜Scam 2003바카라™, their styles gel very well, and the product has come out really nice. Tushar has a more stylish way of helming a project while Hansal sir likes to keep it more real and simple. For 바카라˜Scam 2003바카라™, we needed that kind of a mixture.

The character of Telgi is quite complex and the trailer looks interesting. What was the brief given to you, and how did your acting career so far help you in achieving that?

Everything I could do in 바카라˜Scam 2003바카라™ or was able to do was because of my extensive theatre background, whatever I learned over the years, be it character building or the smaller technique. It helped me in playing such a big role in my career. And the brief given to me was that be honest. Hansal sir never talks too much, and gave me smaller briefs.  

What are you looking forward to next?

I am now looking forward to the release of 바카라˜Scam 2003바카라™. I am on a break after that, and waiting for some good offers to come.