Deven Bhojani to play male lead in OTT film starring Parineeti Chopra

Parineeti Chopra

In February, Parineeti Chopra teased her followers on Instagram by sharing a picture with actor Deven Bhojani. Naturally, it aroused curiosity around the project. Now, months later, we have the answer, and from the horse's mouth. Talking to mid-day, Bhojani reveals that the two have teamed up for an OTT film, which sees him as the lead opposite Chopra. Tell him that's an on-screen couple we didn't see coming, and the actor elaborates, "We share a different equation in the film. It's not a hero-heroine equation. But we are playing the two lead characters."

Recent reports suggested that Chopra was headlining an OTT film helmed by debutant director Dhruv Tripathi. Bhojani is tight-lipped about the director and further details regarding the yet-untitled movie. All he is willing to share is that the film is not a comedy, a genre he has favoured over his 38-year career. That, and about his co-star.

(From left) Deven Bhojani with Parineeti Chopra. Pics/Instagram

The actor admits that before the film went on floors, he was skeptical about how Chopra would be as a co-actor. "Before the shoot, I wasn't sure [how things would pan out] because she is a big Bollywood star, and here we were playing the leads in the film. So, I judged her a little before meeting her," he smiles. All his doubts, however, went out the window the moment they met. "We gelled from day one. I thought to myself, ‘Yeh toh ekdum cool bandi hai'. She is down-to-earth. We would gossip, laugh out loud, and we helped each other give our best."

The OTT film comes as the latest addition in Bhojani's pursuit of web offerings. He has enjoyed a golden run on television not only as an actor, but also as a director - having helmed the much loved shows, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, and Sumit Sambhal Lega - but he is now single-mindedly focusing on digital entertainment. The actor reveals that he has another web project in the pipeline. "I am leading a middle-aged love story.

OTT creators know my talent and versatility. I am loving dabbling in different genres," he says.