Actor Kavin Dave has opened up about his journey in the entertainment industry, reflecting on his early days as a child actor, his return to acting after graduation and the theatre experience that helped him understand the craft. In an engaging conversation, the actor spoke about the differences between performing on stage and in front of a camera, the lessons he learned from senior artists and how his passion for acting gradually developed. Known for moving between films, television and web series, Kavin believes both theatre and screen acting come with their own challenges.
Speaking about the difference between theatre and screen acting, Kavin highlighted how live performances demand complete presence of mind, while working in front of a camera offers the possibility of retakes. He explained, "Well, there is definitely a difference. When you have a live audience in front of you—the best part about theatre is that you have to forget everything else and be completely present in that moment. If a mishap occurs on stage, you can't let the audience know—you have to handle it yourself. In that sense, it's almost like meditation; you are entirely, fully present in that exact moment. With the camera, on the other hand, you have a bit more leeway—there's always the option for a second take or a retake. Also, in theatre, you know the show will conclude in two hours, whereas when you're working in front of a camera, you have to maintain that same level of intensity throughout the entire day. Exactly—both are different, and both are equally challenging."
Reflecting on how much he has changed since his early days, Kavin described his journey as a gradual learning experience. He said, "There has been quite a lot of change in my personal journey. Because when I started as a child actor...Back then, I didn't really know what a 'shoot' was, or what the craft of acting entailed. I went straight from school to working with some of the greatest actors in the industry, and I learned so much from them. Just by observing them, I picked up a great deal; they would guide me on how to approach things. That was my initial learning phase. Later—as is often the case in our homes, where education is also a priority—I completed my graduation. Then, around 2008, I returned to acting. It was during my college years that I began to grasp the nuances of the craft. I started doing theatre, which served as my foundational training. After that, I decided that this was the career I wanted to pursue, so I began working in theatre with Pandit Satyadev Dubey, following my graduation. And that's how it all unfolded. You could say it's been a journey from being a small child, to a teenager entering the field, and continuing to this day. It's still ongoing."
Kavin also clarified that acting was not necessarily a childhood ambition or a passion he had consciously pursued from the beginning. Instead, his entry into the entertainment industry happened through a fortunate opportunity. Explaining how it all started, he said, "It was actually a fortunate turn of events for me. Some distant relatives of mine were part of the industry—one of them had been a child actor—and they suggested, 'Why don't you get some photographs taken of Kavin? We'll distribute them.' Back then, the industry was much simpler. Production houses maintained their own databases; you would just write your name and address on the back of your photographs and send them over. They would then categorize them—filing them away by individual—and whenever they needed actors, they would simply call you up. That's how I got started. My first advertisement was for a product called 'Tej Ras'—I worked alongside the legendary actress Beena-ji. It was for a brain tonic, produced by Cine Star. Through that, I landed a role in Junoon, which led to Filmi Chakkar. After Filmi Chakkar came Jai Hanuman, and things just gradually progressed from there. As for that 'acting bug'—it really took hold during college, when I started getting involved in theater. Being on stage.....that live theatrical experience with an audience is something entirely different. Once you get a taste of that 'high,' you naturally want to pursue it further."
His comments offer an interesting glimpse into the path that took him from childhood assignments to a more deliberate pursuit of acting. Kavin's early television appearances included Junoon, Filmi Chakkar and Jai Hanuman. After completing his education and returning to the profession, he developed his skills through theatre, particularly under the guidance of veteran theatre personality Pandit Satyadev Dubey. His film credits include Mumbai Meri Jaan, My Name Is Khan, I Hate Luv Storys, Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum and Kick, in which he played Jignesh.
Kavin later reached a wider audience through his portrayal of stockbroker Rakesh Jhunjhunwala in the popular web series Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story. He has also explored creative responsibilities beyond acting, including dialogue writing and direction. Looking back at his career, his reflections underline how observation, education, theatre and experience have shaped his approach to performance. Rather than describing his journey as something that happened overnight, Kavin sees it as an ongoing process of learning, adapting and discovering new aspects of the craft.