Gagan Dev Riar is an Indian actor and theatre artist. He is known for portraying Abdul Karim Telgi, a convicted Indian counterfeiter in the web series ‘Scam 2003: The Telgi Story’ (2023), which premiered on Sony LIV.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Gagan Dev Riar was born on Saturday, 16 August 1980 (age 43 years; as of 2023) in Pathankot, Punjab. His zodiac sign is Leo. He studied at Ruparel College in Matunga, Mumbai.
A childhood photograph of Gagan Dev Riar with his sister
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Devinder Singh Riar, and his mother’s name is Raj Kanwal Riar.
An old photograph of Gagan Dev Riar’s parents
He has an elder sister named Sonika Riar; who is a fashion designer, and a brother named Karan Riar, who is a choreographer.
Gagan Dev Riar (right) with his brother
Wife
He is unmarried.
Relationships/Affairs
He is in a long-term relationship with his co-artist Mallika Singh. They have worked together in several plays.
Gagan Dev Riar with Mallika Singh
Career
Web Series & Film
He made his debut as an actor with the television film ‘Sunsilk Real FM’ (2014), which was released on MTV India. He played the role of Jawahar in the film.
Gagan Dev Riar in a still from the television film ‘Sunsilk Real FM’
In 2015, he appeared alongside Sudev Nair in the Hindi web series ‘Not Fit.’ The series was streamed on the YouTube channel Dice Media and the OTT platform TVF Play. He played the role of Khalifa in the Hindi film ‘Sonchiriya’ (2019), starring Sushant Singh Rajput.
Poster of the film ‘Sonchiriya’
In 2020, he appeared in the BBC television drama miniseries ‘A Suitable Boy,’ in which played the role of Pran Kapoor. In 2023, he appeared in a lead role for the first time in the biographical web series ‘Scam 2003: The Telgi Story,’ which premiered on Sony LIV. In the series, he portrayed the convicted Indian counterfeiter Abdul Karim Telgi.
Poster of the web series ‘Scam 2003: The Telgi Story’
Theatrical Production
In 2014, Gagan Dev Riar directed the play ‘James Aur Ek Giant Peach,’ based on Ronald Dahl’s novel ‘James and the Giant Peach.’ He composed the music and wrote lyrics for the play ‘Ek Punjab Ye Bhi’ in 2015. He also acted in the play. He worked as an actor and musician for the theatre play ‘Dhat Pagli’ in 2016.
Poster of the play ‘Dhat Pagli’
In the same year, he acted in the play ‘Bade Miyan Deewaane,’ based on the Urdu novel ‘Budhbhas,’ written by Shaukat Thanvi.
Poster of the play ‘Bade Miyan Deewaane’
In 2017, he performed in a lead role opposite Manjiri Pupala in the play ‘Renovation.’ He has performed alongside Mantra in the play ‘Piya Behrupiya,’ which was an adaptation of the play ‘Twelfth Night,’ written by Shakespeare.
Gagan Dev Riar (right) with Mantra in a still from the play ‘Piya Behrupiya’
He has also performed in the musical version of ‘Monsoon Wedding,’ by Mira Nair. He has acted in numerous plays including ‘Ishq Aaha,’ ‘Phir Se Shadi,’ ‘Parey,’ and ‘Stories in a Song.’
Facts/Trivia
- He pursues singing as his hobby.
- He wanted to become an actor since childhood. He started acting in theatrical production at the age of 16.
- He took formal training in acting at Ashok Kumars Academy Of Dramatic Arts in Chembur, Mumbai under a summer programme of two months.
- He was associated with Om Katare’s theatre group ‘Yatri’ for almost nine years.
- In an interview, he revealed that he was selected for the role of Sitaraman in the web series ‘Scam 1992:- The Harshad Mehta Story’ (2020), but due to some date issue, he couldn’t take up the role. While talking about it in the interview, he said,
If not for date issues, I would have been part of the first choice for the character of Sitaraman, the SBI manager who was at the centre of the whole securities scam, which was later exceptionally played by Jamini Pathak.”
- Gagan Dev gained almost 20 kg body weight to play the role of Abdul Karim Telgi in the web series ‘Scam 2003: The Telgi Story.’
- He has worked with various actors such as Kunal Kapoor, Shishir Sharma, and Mantra.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn