Make them laugh, make them weep

Gulshan Devaiah

There is a lure to reuniting with the filmmaker who started it all for you. So, one can imagine Gulshan Devaiah's joy as he joined forces again with Anurag Kashyap - after That Girl in Yellow Boots (2010), Shaitan (2011), Peddlers (2012) and Hunterrr (2015) - on his production, Little Thomas. But the film is so much more than that. The actor describes National Award-winning director Kaushal Oza's family dramedy as "a little gem". "There is a certain innocence about Little Thomas, it put a smile on my face. Few stories have the power to fill your heart. This film possesses that quality, leaving a lasting impression on my heart," he says.

Teaming up with Rasika Dugal was another incentive for Devaiah. Working with her was exactly how he had imagined, he says, as they shot the movie in Mumbai and Goa. "I was looking forward to working with her. She is a dedicated and well-prepared actor. She had to learn a skill for this movie, and did such a great job of it."

After portraying intense roles in Dahaad, Guns & Gulaabs and Duranga 2, being a part of Little Thomas was a refreshing change for Devaiah. The film takes viewers on a journey into the simple life of a Goan family, exploring the deep familial bonds. But cracking the tone of a dramedy isn't easy, and it came to the fore as they worked on this project. "Cracking the tone of a dramedy involves striking a delicate balance between humour and emotion. It requires a keen understanding of the script, knowing when to infuse levity and when to tap into the dramatic nuances. A successful dramedy performance is characterised by authenticity, where the actor leaves the audience both laughing and moved by the narrative," says the actor. He adds that he went completely by Oza's vision. "One needs to understand the director's sensibilities. It becomes a straightforward task of aligning one's efforts with the director's vision, ensuring a harmonious collaboration that brings the intended essence to life on screen."