In Govind Nihalani’s scathing Dev, Fardeen Khan’s face mirrors an enduring turmoil and conflict. His role as the disgruntled young Muslim echoes Hrithik Roshan in Khalid Mohamed’s Fiza. But the echoes are far more restrained and projected into a smaller circle. In a role that’s critically central to the dramatic conflict, Fardeen’s awkwardness goes very well with his conflicted character, though the accent remains more South Mumbai than downmarket Baroda.

For Fardeen Khan, Govind Nihalani’s Dev was a game changer. He said, “It was my third film with Kareena Kapoor, and it was she who recommended me for the role, and I will always be grateful to her for that.”

Having to work with a director of such stature and relevance was another new experience for Fardeen. The actor stated, “Being signed by the respected Govind Nihalani for a film with legends like Amitabh Bachchan and Om Puri was a huge endorsement for any actor. Govindji was highly respected and was known for his careful direction and powerful storytelling.”

This was Fardeen Khan’s first real-life character. “The role gave me the chance to work on a film that was relevant and meaningful, which was rare at the time,” he said.

But Fardeen’s greatest takeaway from Dev? Khan shared, “It was getting to share the screen with Amitji, an actor I idolized. His life and most amazing career have had a profound influence on Indian cinema and has left an indelible mark on not just me but on every Indian. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a true honour and an absolute privilege to work with him, making it one of the highlights of my career.”

Would Fardeen consider Dev the most important film of his career? He added, “It was certainly the most socially relevant role that carried a meaningful message.”