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Gagan Dev Riar

Gagan Dev Riar (born 16 August 1980) is an , , and known for his extensive work in theatre and his transition to screen roles in films and . With over 15 years of experience in theatre, where he has performed, directed, and written productions that garnered both popular and critical acclaim, Riar gained widespread recognition for portraying the antagonist in the 2023 SonyLIV Scam 2003: The Telgi Story, a role that marked his breakthrough in digital after years of stage work. Born in and raised in , , Riar relocated to with his family in 1993, where he pursued acting following encouragement from his father after completing Class X. His theatre includes award-winning , such as the Award for his role in Piya Behrupiya, highlighting his versatility in classical and contemporary plays. On screen, he has appeared in films like (2019) and the miniseries , often embodying complex, rugged characters that draw from his grounded upbringing and methodical preparation process. Post-, Riar selectively turned down typecast offers for similar villainous roles, emphasizing his commitment to diverse characters over formulaic repetition.

Early years

Birth and family background

Gagan Dev Riar was born on 16 August 1980 in , . He hails from a family, with his father, Devinder Singh Riar, playing a pivotal role in nurturing his early interest in by suggesting he pursue it after completing Class X examinations. Riar's mother is Raj Kanwal Riar. He has two siblings: a brother, Karan Riar, who works as a choreographer, and an elder sister, Sonika Riar, a fashion designer. Little public information exists regarding the professional backgrounds of his parents beyond their familial influence on his career path.

Education and early influences

Riar attended Ruparel College in Matunga, Mumbai, where he pursued his undergraduate studies. His entry into acting was facilitated by formal training at Ashok Kumar's Academy of Dramatic Arts in Chembur, Mumbai, where his father enrolled him in a two-month summer program after recognizing his interest. He later honed his skills through workshops with prominent theatre figures, including Om Katare, Trishla Patel, Sunil Shanbag, Atul Kumar, and Rajat Kapoor, as well as a nine-month intensive for the play Andha Yug under Nirmal Pandey. Early influences stemmed from a childhood passion for performance, with Riar participating in school plays starting at age 16, which ignited his commitment to over other pursuits. Mentorship from theatre veteran proved pivotal, emphasizing mastery of Hindi as a foundational tool and adaptability in performance. His father's encouragement further reinforced this path, providing both emotional and practical support amid financial challenges in his initial theatre years.

Theatre career

Debut and notable stage roles

Gagan Dev Riar initiated his theatre career at the age of 16, beginning with performances in Mumbai's local theatre scene. His early work included portraying Raavan in Ravanleela, directed by Om Katare, which marked his first festival appearance. Following his commerce graduation from Ruparel College, he took on roles in productions such as Andha Yug by Nirmal Pandey and joined Om Katare's Yatri theatre group, contributing to its activities for nine years. Among his notable stage roles, Riar appeared in Stories in a Song (2010), directed by Sunil Shanbag, which explored narrative traditions through and performance. He gained recognition for his supporting role in Piya Behrupiya (2012), an adaptation of Shakespeare's directed by Atul Kumar, where he played characters including ; the production earned multiple Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (), including Best for Riar in 2014. Other significant performances encompass Ishq Aaha, a folklore-inspired piece he co-directed with Sukant Goel, blending qissa storytelling and elements. Riar has collaborated with directors such as Trishla Patel, Shivani Tankale, and , including in the musical adaptation of .

Impact on acting development

Gagan Dev Riar's immersion in theatre since the age of 16, spanning over 15 years, formed the bedrock of his acting technique, fostering skills in self-directed character exploration and logical motivation for performances. Collaborations with directors such as Om Katare, Trishla Patel, Sunil Shanbag, Shivani Tanskale, Atul Kumar, and Mira Nair on productions including the musical Monsoon Wedding emphasized an approach where actors seek internal answers rather than rote instruction, enhancing his ability to improvise and adapt within ensemble dynamics. This theatre schooling cultivated persistence and receptivity to feedback, as Riar has described applying directors' inputs only after discerning their rationale, which sharpened his precision in embodying complex roles. The live-audience immediacy of theatre honed Riar's capacity for real-time adjustment and audience conviction, contrasting with film's delayed validation but underpinning transferable skills like projection and nuance delivery. He has noted that theatre's "unlimited imagination"—evident in staging expansive scenarios without technological aids—equips actors to transcend medium-specific limits, directly aiding his transition to screen by treating the camera as a proxy audience. In preparing for demanding characters like Abdul Karim Telgi in Scam 2003: The Telgi Story, theatre techniques facilitated physical transformation, dialect refinement through repeated script readings, and emotional tangents, enabling authentic immersion without mimicry. Riar maintains as a resource for doubt resolution, underscoring its role in sustaining versatility across formats; he has affirmed an inability to abandon it even amid screen success, viewing it as essential for ongoing refinement. This foundational reliance underscores 's causal contribution to his resilience against and capacity for layered portrayals, as evidenced by his pivot from solos to lead screen debuts.

Screen acting career

Entry into films and initial roles

Riar transitioned from theatre to screen acting with his debut in the 2014 telefilm Real FM, directed by , where he portrayed the character of Jwahar. This short-form project marked his initial foray into filmed content, building on his stage experience. His first feature film role came in 2019 with , directed by , in which he played , a supporting bandit character in the ensemble cast that included as the lead Lakhna and as the antagonist. The film, set in the 1970s Chambal Valley and focusing on dacoits, received critical acclaim for its gritty portrayal of rural lawlessness but underperformed commercially, grossing approximately ₹6.25 against a ₹18 budget. Riar's performance as contributed to the film's depiction of internal gang dynamics, though it remained a minor role amid the star-driven narrative. In 2020, Riar appeared in the six-episode miniseries , adapted from Vikram Seth's and directed by , taking on the role of Pran Kapoor, a history and supportive husband to Savita Mehra. The series, set in post-independence , explored themes of , , and , with Riar's character providing emotional grounding in the Mehra family storyline. Nair cast him after observing his theatre work, highlighting his ability to embody nuanced, roles. These early screen appearances, primarily supporting parts, allowed Riar to gain visibility in both and streaming while honing his craft beyond stage limitations, though they did not yet yield widespread recognition.

Breakthrough in Scam 2003: The Telgi Story

Gagan Dev Riar portrayed the central character of Abdul Karim Telgi, the mastermind behind India's largest stamp paper counterfeiting scam, in the web series Scam 2003: The Telgi Story, directed by Hansal Mehta and produced for SonyLIV. The series, announced in May 2022, chronicles Telgi's rise from a vegetable seller in Karnataka to orchestrating a ₹30,000 crore fraud involving fake stamp papers across multiple states from the late 1990s to early 2000s. Riar's casting marked a shift from his prior theatre and minor film roles, such as in Sonchiriya (2019), to a lead in this high-profile entry in Mehta's "Scam" anthology, following Scam 1992. To embody Telgi, Riar drew on extensive research, including studying the scamster's mannerisms, Belgaum dialect, and physical transformation—gaining weight and altering his gait to reflect Telgi's unassuming yet cunning persona. He immersed himself in documentaries and court records, avoiding over-dramatization to capture Telgi's opportunistic realism rather than portraying him as a stereotypical . The first volume premiered on September 1, 2023, with the second following in November, spanning Telgi's operations exposed in 2003 and his subsequent arrest and trial. Riar's performance received widespread acclaim as the series' strongest element, with critics highlighting his nuanced depiction of Telgi's ambition and moral ambiguity, elevating a criticized for pacing issues and formulaic scripting. noted his ability to convey subtle shifts from street-level to scam empire builder, using minimalistic expressions and dialect authenticity to drive the 10-episode arc. This role propelled Riar to national recognition, leading to concerns in subsequent offers but solidifying his reputation for grounded, character-driven portrayals rooted in his theatre background. The series' success, viewed by millions, underscored Riar's breakthrough by contrasting his prior obscurity with the demanding lead that demanded both physical and emotional authenticity.

Post-breakthrough projects including 13th

Following his critically acclaimed portrayal of Abdul Karim Telgi in the 2023 web series : The Telgi Story, Gagan Dev Riar took on supporting roles in diverse screen projects, often depicting authority figures or mentors amid themes of corporate drudgery, corruption, and personal growth. These works, released between late 2024 and 2025, highlighted his ability to embody nuanced characters in both comedic and dramatic contexts, though he expressed frustration over being typecast in similar intense roles post-breakthrough. In the workplace comedy series The Pickle Factory (2024), Riar appeared alongside and in a narrative centered on an intern navigating family business chaos at a pickle manufacturing firm, blending pranks, office dynamics, and generational conflicts. The series, which premiered on , 2024, on the Waves platform, featured Riar in a supporting capacity amid an including and Naveen Kaushik, contributing to its lighthearted exploration of work-life imbalances. Riar portrayed Sameer Narang, a officer, in the 2025 crime drama film Costao, directed by and starring as the titular customs officer Costao Fernandes. Set in 1990s , the film depicts Fernandes's battle against a entrenched in , with Riar's character aiding the through determined efforts. Released on around April 2025, Costao drew from real events involving Fernandes's confrontations with criminal networks, emphasizing themes of integrity amid systemic pressures. Riar's role as MT Sir in the 2025 Sony LIV series 13th: Some Lessons Aren't Taught in Classrooms marked a shift toward inspirational , co-starring Paresh Pahuja as a disillusioned corporate professional who pivots to and . Premiering on October 1, 2025, the series follows the protagonist's transformation under MT Sir's guidance, drawing inspiration from real-life educator Mohit , founder of the coaching platform Competishun, with Riar incorporating Tyagi's authentic dialogues for realism. Produced by Dhandharia, it explores corporate monotony, beyond academics, and startup challenges, earning praise for the chemistry between Riar and Pahuja despite mixed reviews on pacing. Riar prepared by meeting Tyagi to capture the essence of a teacher prioritizing holistic student development over .

Recognition and reception

Awards won

Gagan Dev Riar won the OTT Award for , Series (Male): Drama in 2024 for his role as in : The Telgi Story. The award recognized his nuanced depiction of the scamster's confidence and vulnerabilities, with the ceremony held on December 1, 2024. At the 2024, he received the Best Leading Male Performance award for the same portrayal in . This accolade highlighted his commanding screen presence in the biographical crime drama series. Prior to his screen breakthrough, Riar was granted the Vinod Doshi Fellowship Award in 2013, a recognition for emerging professionals supporting innovative work. This early honor underscored his foundational contributions to Indian amid a career initially rooted in live performances.

Critical assessments of performances

Gagan Dev Riar's performances have received acclaim for their al depth and technical prowess. In the solo play Sarenta (2024), which he also wrote, critics described his acting as a "," noting how he "brims with in the most quiet moments" and delivers complex lines with rare skill, transcending mere technique. One review highlighted a bold sequence where he strips to convey vulnerability, though suggested improvements in for greater expressiveness. Earlier, in the adaptation of (2023), a Washington Post singled out Riar for finding "a touching vulnerability" in his role amid an ensemble cast. Riar's screen breakthrough in Scam 2003: The Telgi Story (2023) drew widespread praise for his nuanced portrayal of , often cited as the series' strongest element despite narrative shortcomings. Reviewers commended his attention to physical and vocal details, such as Telgi's paunch, gait, and lispy delivery, terming it a "tour de force" that leaves an "imprint" on a "half-baked" production. His performance infused the character with "restless energy," wry humor, and carefree confidence, though some noted it felt "unfurnished" due to screenplay limitations. Critics emphasized his mastery of subtlety, from smirks signaling betrayal to glints of ambition, which "keeps you hooked" and captures "every nuance" amid a middling plot. In subsequent projects like 13th: Some Lessons Aren't Taught in Classrooms (2025), Riar's role as mentor MT Sir earned recognition for embodying conviction, warmth, and authority, contributing "watchable moments" through strong chemistry with co-star Paresh Pahuja in an otherwise middling series. Overall, assessments highlight Riar's restraint and detail-oriented approach as consistent strengths, elevating material while rarely facing direct critique of his craft.

Personal pursuits

Interests beyond acting

Gagan Dev Riar identifies as an avid gamer, regularly playing video games on his , with recent engagements including and the completed . He has discussed gaming preferences in podcasts, drawing parallels between game narratives and performance elements. Riar pursues music as a singer and guitarist, having composed original scores for theatrical works such as the 2016 play Dhat Pagli. In October 2025, he disclosed pausing his acting commitments to prioritize music, focusing on songwriting and guitar practice to explore personal creative depths beyond screen roles. Beyond performance, Riar engages in theatre direction and writing, accumulating over 15 years of experience in these capacities, including directing and scripting productions noted for critical acclaim in Mumbai's theatre scene.

Perspectives on career and industry challenges

Gagan Dev Riar has described significant financial hardships in his early career during the early , when he lacked sufficient funds to pursue theatre full-time and resorted to odd jobs to support his , including shifts at , marketing work, and writing songs for television serials such as Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai, Choti Bahu, Maryada, and . During college, amid a financial crisis, he worked as a in an company at age 18 or 19, handling tasks like moving files and printing camera reels to fund his BCom education. In securing his breakthrough role in Scam 2003: The Telgi Story, Riar faced repeated audition rejections, failing the initial try as producers remarked "maza nahi aaya" before he succeeded on a second attempt after three days of intensive preparation. He has highlighted the physical demands of such roles, including gaining 20 kg over six to seven months for the character while perfecting a Mumbai-Karnataka influenced , and enduring injuries from demanding fight scenes. Following the success of , Riar reported feeling disoriented and receiving offers limited to typecast roles, such as 50-year-old villains or mob dons, which he largely declined in favor of projects aligning with his interests. He attributes this slotting to industry tendencies post-breakthrough, noting a broader shift where supporting actors now access stronger material, though he maintains that star-driven entertainment persists due to audience preferences for theatrical spectacle. Riar expresses a strong affinity for theatre as his "first love" and essential "riyaaz" for honing craft, emphasizing its live, unscripted intensity over film work, which he approaches selectively without aggressive pursuit. He views himself as perpetual , valuing amid rising expectations but wary of the pressures that accompany , preferring a simple lifestyle to sustain focus on learning and authenticity in acting.

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