"I want to leave my own unique mark," says Neeraj Chauhan

There is a lot of excitement among the audience about the film The Secret of Devkaali. With this film, actor Neeraj Chauhan is making his Bollywood debut. Neeraj is also the producer and director of the film. It is his first film, and he is extremely excited about it. In an exclusive conversation with Maya Purie Magazine, he spoke about the film’s concept, the cast, his shooting experience, and much more. Let’s hear what he had to say in this interview.

• Why did you choose this film? Why not a romantic love story?

Choosing between a good story and a better one is always a challenge. We chose the better one. When you work on something repeatedly, it forms a different kind of connection. As we developed the story, it naturally became something we were deeply connected to. This is why we felt this is the kind of work we can do at a high level. We’re putting 110% into it. If we work on what we are passionate about, it will turn out well. That’s the reason for this story.

• Although the entire world worships Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, no one knows much about their Kuldevi. What made you decide to tell this story?

When we began this film, we did some research, but according to my findings, there was no mention of Goddess Devkaali anywhere. As we dug deeper, we discovered that Lord Ram's Kuldevi was indeed Devkaali. However, our story is a bit different. It focuses on the Devkaali jungle and its surroundings.

• Your film features excellent actors like Mahesh Manjrekar, Sanjay Mishra, Prashant Narayan, Zareen Wahab, and Bhoomika Gurung. Why did you choose them?

When we design a character, the first thing we look at is the actor's physical appearance. Then we consider their acting abilities. As we wrote the script and designed the characters, each actor's face came to mind. We felt that if we brought them on board for these roles, they would leave their perfect mark on them. As I said, choosing between good and better – we chose better. That’s why we picked the best fit.

• Apart from this film, you're also involved in another project. How does this film differ from that one?

There’s a huge difference. When you start something, you gain experience. You learn a lot. If you do something after five years and look back, you’ll always feel like you could’ve done something differently.

• Your film The Secret of Devkaali has received great reviews, and people are really enjoying it. How excited are you about this?

We work for the public. If the public is happy, we are happy. When people appreciate something, it motivates us to do more. It’s the love of the audience that boosts our confidence.

• I read that this film was shot in Mathura and Vrindavan. How was your experience shooting there? Did you learn anything from the people there?

Yes, the film was shot in Mathura, Gokul, and Devkaali Jungle. The people there are very warm and kind. Even the water there has a sweetness to it. The sweetness that you find in the sweets, you see that in the people too. They speak with such love and affection. I felt accepted by them. I didn’t face any issues. They were all supportive, and I received a lot of help from them.

• When you were shooting there, did you gain any new insights or make any changes to the film based on your experience?

Yes, we did incorporate new ideas. While shooting, new thoughts kept coming to us. It’s my habit – even after shooting is complete, I often feel that something could be improved. I don’t give up easily. I always strive for perfection, so we reshot some scenes to make them better.

• What made you turn toward the film industry? Why did you feel you should be an actor, director, or producer?

I never really thought about it that way. Acting was always something I enjoyed. My journey began with singing, and gradually I became involved in theatre and drama. When I heard the applause and cheers from the audience, I realized that’s what I wanted – the love and admiration from the public. That became my biggest motivation. It was then that I decided to direct my own film. I took charge and launched myself.

• Which actor in Bollywood inspires you?

I don’t look up to any one particular actor for inspiration. I focus more on myself – how I look, how I act, and if there are any areas where I can improve. I don’t want to copy anyone. Instead, I aim to create my own unique version. I want to leave my own distinct mark.

• How is your film different from other films in Bollywood? How will it leave a mark at the box office?

I can’t really say. But what I can say is that we are giving our 110%. We work day and night. Our team works tirelessly as well. That’s how it’s made. We prove ourselves through hard work.

• The title of your film, The Secret of Devkaali, suggests there are many hidden secrets that will slowly be revealed. Is that true?

Absolutely. That’s the concept of the film, and it’s reflected in the title. There are many secrets hidden within the story, which will unfold as you watch the film.

• In this film, you were an actor, director, and producer. How did you manage all these roles?

There is always a team behind every successful project, and behind one face, there is a lot of hard work. While I can give ideas and direction, I cannot do everything alone. That’s why I rely on the support of my team.

• If I ask you about your future projects, would you like to share something?

I have several projects lined up, but we’ll decide on them soon. If the audience supports us, we will definitely aim to do something bigger. We will keep working for them.

The unique concept and captivating story of The Secret of Devkaali has not only attracted fans but also impressed many industry insiders. Now, audiences are eagerly awaiting the release of this much-anticipated film.

by Priyanka Yadav

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