Gagan Dev Riar is an Indian actor and theater artist. He is best known for portraying Abdul Karim Telgi, a convicted Indian forger in the web series ‘Scam 2003: The Telgi Story’ (2023), which aired on Sony LIV.
Wiki/Biography
Gagan Dev Riar was born on Saturday, 16 August 1980 (age 43 years; in 2023) in Pathankot, Punjab. His zodiac sign is Leo. He studied at Ruparel College in Matunga, Mumbai.
Gagan Dev Riar’s childhood photos with his sister
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 9″
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Devinder Singh Riar, and his mother’s name is Raj Kanwal Riar.
Old pictures of Gagan Dev Riar’s parents
He has a 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 not married.
Relationships/Affairs
He was in a long-term relationship with co-artist Mallika Singh. They have worked together in several dramas.
Gagan Dev Riar with Mallika Singh
Career
Web Series & Movies
She made her acting debut 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 movie ‘Sunsilk Real FM’
In 2015, she appeared alongside Sudev Nair in the Hindi web series ‘Not Fit.’ The series has been streamed on Dice Media’s YouTube channel and OTT platform TVF Play. He played the role of Khalifa in the Hindi film ‘Sonchiriya’ (2019), starring Sushant Singh Rajput.
‘Sonchiriya’ movie poster
In 2020, he appeared in the BBC television drama mini-series ‘A Suitable Boy,’ playing 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 aired on Sony LIV. In the series, he portrayed convicted Indian counterfeiter Abdul Karim Telgi.
‘Scam 2003: The Telgi Story’ web series poster
Theater Productions
In 2014, Gagan Dev Riar directed the drama ‘James Aur Ek Giant Peach,’ based on Ronald Dahl’s novel ‘James and the Giant Peach.’ He composed music and wrote lyrics for the drama ‘Ek Punjab Ye Bhi’ in 2015. He also acted in the drama. He worked as an actor and musician for the theater drama ‘Dhat Pagli’ in 2016.
‘Dhat Pagli’ drama poster
In the same year, he acted in the drama ‘Bade Miyan Deewaane,’ based on the Urdu novel ‘Budhbhas,’ written by Shaukat Thanvi.
‘Bade Miyan Deewaane’ drama poster
In 2017, she acted in the lead role opposite Manjiri Pupala in the drama ‘Renovation.’ He has performed with Mantra in the play ‘Piya Behrupiya,’ which is an adaptation of the play ‘Twelfth Night,’ written by Shakespeare.
Gagan Dev Riar (right) with Mantra in a still from the drama ‘Piya Behrupiya’
She has also performed in the musical version of ‘Monsoon Wedding,’ by Mira Nair. She has acted in various dramas including ‘Ishq Aaha,’ ‘Phir Se Shadi,’ ‘Parey,’ and ‘Stories in a Song.’
Facts/Trivia
- He continued singing as his hobby.
- He wanted to be an actor since childhood. He started acting in theater productions at the age of 16.
- He underwent formal training in acting at Ashok Kumars Academy Of Dramatic Arts in Chembur, Mumbai under a two-month summer program.
- He was associated with Om Katare’s theater 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 issues, he could not take up the role. While talking about it in an interview, he said,
Had it not been for the date issue, I would have been part of the first choice for the character of Sitaraman, the SBI manager who is at the center of the entire securities scam, which was later played superbly by Jamini Pathak.”
- Gagan Dev gained almost 20 kg of weight to play Abdul Karim Telgi in the web series ‘Scam 2003: The Telgi Story.’
- He has worked with various actors like Kunal Kapoor, Shishir Sharma, and Mantra.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
