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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nA natural explorer at heart, he never saw passion as a singular pursuit but as a series of discoveries. The man spent years exploring different pursuits, driven not by expectation but by the desire to understand what truly excited him. In high school, despite excelling academically, he felt drawn to activities beyond textbooks and grades. He threw himself into anything that sparked his interest\u2014joining vocal groups, competing in band festivals, even trying his hand at radio broadcasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That same explorative nature followed him into university, where his creative instincts became impossible to ignore. Studying in Bali, surrounded by a thriving artistic community, only fuelled it further. He kept experimenting through playing music and DJing. Then, in 2009, an unexpected offer landed in his lap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the time, Film Television (FTV) productions were thriving in Bali, and a casting director offered young Deva a chance to be on set. Uncertain but intrigued, he accepted. One project led to another, and somewhere along the way, he found himself not just participating but genuinely drawn to the process. It felt familiar, almost like his school theatre days\u2014only now, it carried a different weight. It became more than just something he did, but rather something he wanted to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, Deva started absorbing everything he could\u2014watching films, reading, studying performances. \u201cI didn\u2019t see it as a career choice at first,\u201d he reflects. \u201cIt was something to grow with, something to evolve through. Not a path to follow, but as I kept mentioning, acting as a way of life, a way to exist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When asked to clarify what he meant by acting being \u201ca way of life\u201d rather than just \u201ca career path,\u201d Deva offered a candid explanation. \u201cActing isn\u2019t just a job\u2014it\u2019s an emotional investment,\u201d he explains. \u201cYou have to project genuine feelings, even if they\u2019re artificially created. If I\u2019m in a great mood but need to perform a heartbreaking scene all day, it becomes a mental tug-of-war.\u201d Deva started with filming only a few scenes here and there, but once heavier roles arrived\u2014demanding full days on set\u2014he realised how strangely energising it was. \u201cI\u2019d finish a long shoot, feel drained, then somehow recharge and do it all again. Other jobs just wore me out, but this gave me life; that is why it\u2019s my way of life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHis dedication led him to \u201cTetangga Masa Gitu?\u201d (2014\u20132017), the sitcom that marked one of his major breakthroughs. Playing Bastian opposite actress Chelsea Islan tested an entirely different skill set: comedic timing. \u201cComedy is tricky,\u201d he admits. \u201cNot everyone has the timing for it, especially when slapstick or sarcasm is involved. But that show was like a free workshop\u2014I could try slapstick, surreal bits, or more grounded comedy. Working alongside such talented comedic actors pushed me to sharpen my instincts.\u201d That \u2018workshop\u2019 paid off, and Deva found himself more comfortable stepping into comedic roles down the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From comedic sitcoms to iconic historical figures, Deva\u2019s range is evident in roles that demanded he portray well-known individuals. In \u201cSlank Nggak Ada Matinya\u201d (2013), he stepped into the shoes of Abdee Negara\u2014Slank\u2019s lead guitarist\u2014often while the real Abdee was on set. Then, in \u201cGuru Bangsa: Tjokroaminoto\u201d (2015), he took on the monumental task of playing Soekarno, Indonesia\u2019s first President and founding father. By chance, Deva had previously interned at the Soekarno Centre in Bali and spoken with Sukmawati Sukarnoputri\u2014Soekarno\u2019s daughter\u2014insights that offered him a more personal perspective than any script or textbook could. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to play someone real,\u201d he says, \u201cyou need a deep understanding of who they were. Once you have that, the pressure becomes fuel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That commitment to complex roles continued in \u201cSabtu Bersama Bapak\u201d (2016), where he portrayed Cakra\u2014a role that drew critical attention for its emotional depth. \u201cBelok Kanan Barcelona\u201d (2019) paired him with actress Anggika B\u00f6lsterli, with the movie earning them a nomination for Best and Most Favourite Couple at the Indonesian Movie Actors Awards. Yet it was \u201cDancing in the Rain\u201d (2018) that brought him face-to-face with the legendary Christine Hakim\u2014an encounter that, he admits, left a lasting impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho wouldn\u2019t be inspired after working with Bu Christine?\u201d he says, recalling the quiet discipline she brought to set\u2014never dictating or correcting, but teaching by example. \u201cIt\u2019s amazing how someone can share so much without ever saying, \u2018This is how you do it.\u2019 She just does it.\u201d That experience stays with him, fuelling his wish for another collaboration\u2014perhaps one that allows for a deeper bond, like a mother-and-son dynamic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deva rarely names \u201cfavourites,\u201d but if pressed, he\u2019ll single out the film \u201cAvatar\u201d (2009). For him, it\u2019s not just about the visuals or storyline; it\u2019s about how director James Cameron surpassed his own record from \u201cTitanic\u201d (1997), a milestone that stood for over a decade. That achievement, in Deva\u2019s eyes, embodies the power of outdoing oneself rather than idolising a single figure. It\u2019s the same outlook that shapes his everyday choices\u2014why limit himself to one coffee order or favourite colours when there\u2019s a whole world to explore? \u201cI like to try new things,\u201d he admits, a sentiment that drives both his life and his career. Lately, he\u2019s been eyeing roles in action films, seeing them as an opportunity to push himself physically. \u201cAction forces you to stay fit,\u201d he says, \u201cso it\u2019s like hitting two birds with one stone\u2014I get to work on my physique while diving into a genre that excites me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDrawing on the same spirit of exploration that ignited his passion for acting, Deva naturally ventured into entrepreneurship, starting with his deep-rooted love for coffee. He opened Foresthree Coffee in 2018 with a single branch in Panglima Polim; today, it spans over 150 locations. Meanwhile, his desire to support fellow creatives led him to establish a writing-focused start-up, Kapitulis, designed to connect freelance writers\u2014many of whom struggle to live solely on book royalties\u2014with clients seeking copywriting or content services. \u201cIt\u2019s not a big moneymaker,\u201d he admits, \u201cbut it\u2019s a social business that helps talented writers earn a steady income.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to personal style, he leaves room for spontaneity. Some days, he\u2019ll skip a watch entirely; on others, he\u2019ll pick something that pairs effortlessly with a T-shirt, jeans, or oversized pants. \u201cI like to keep things flexible,\u201d he says\u2014an outlook that naturally aligns with Swiss watchmaker Breitling and its DNA of performance and versatility. From the Chronomat line to the Avenger collection, Breitling upholds a spirit of exploration and adaptability that complements Deva\u2019s ever-evolving style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Between a Netflix project slated for release around Eid al-Fitr and another film planned for Eid al-Adha in May 2025, Deva\u2019s schedule might seem jam-packed. Yet for him, time is deeply personal\u2014something that can be spent in absolute stillness or devoted to purposeful action, free from anyone else\u2019s expectations. On a personal level, he\u2019s focusing on staying healthy and being genuinely present for the people who matter. \u201cTreating time well means actually showing up,\u201d he says. \u201cNo matter how busy I get, I don\u2019t just want to say hi online\u2014I want to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s that same approach\u2014valuing presence, embracing each moment, and staying open to whatever comes\u2014that allows clarity to find Deva Mahenra. It\u2019s a nice reminder that every experience shapes us\u2014forever bridging who we were with who we\u2019re becoming\u2014always in motion, always ready for the next chapter ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creative Direction & Fashion Styling: Charlene Atalie<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Photography: Raja Siregar<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grooming: Arimbi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Deva Mahenra approaches each new pursuit with curiosity, leaving room for every moment to shape him. He finds clarity in the stillness between action and reflection\u2014an outlook that echoes Breitling\u2019s spirit of exploration. By The Time Place Magazine Is clarity something we create or uncover? We often chase revelations, only to find ourselves tangled in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":65159,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65155","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-majalah"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n