Echoes of Light
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—an outlook that echoes Breitling’s 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 more questions. Maybe clarity isn’t meant to be sought—perhaps it arrives unannounced in those pauses between certainty and doubt. For Deva Mahenra, those pauses are essential. “Sometimes, you just need to stop—completely,” he reflects. “No schedules, no decisions, no overthinking. No routines. Just stillness. Because when you pause, you become truly aware. And with awareness comes intention.”
And in that stillness, we begin to see—who we are is not a single, unchanging truth, but rather an unfolding story, written and rewritten with time. Just as our identity evolves, so does what drives us. As Deva puts it, “Passion isn’t fixed. It shifts with the people we meet, the experiences we live, and the time that passes. It doesn’t have to be the same forever. Acting, for me, became more than a profession—it became a way of life.”
A 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—joining vocal groups, competing in band festivals, even trying his hand at radio broadcasting.
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.
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—only now, it carried a different weight. It became more than just something he did, but rather something he wanted to understand.
So, Deva started absorbing everything he could—watching films, reading, studying performances. “I didn’t see it as a career choice at first,” he reflects. “It 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.”
When asked to clarify what he meant by acting being “a way of life” rather han just “a career path,” Deva offered a candid explanation. “Acting isn’t just a job—it’s an emotional investment,” he explains. “You have to project genuine feelings, even if they’re artificially created. If I’m in a great mood but need to perform a heartbreaking scene all day, it becomes a mental tug-of-war.” Deva started with filming only a few scenes here and there, but once heavier roles arrived—demanding full days on set—he realised how strangely energising it was. “I’d 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’s my way of life.”
His dedication led him to “Tetangga Masa Gitu?” (2014–2017), the sitcom that marked one of his major breakthroughs. Playing Bastian opposite actress Chelsea Islan tested an entirely different skill set: comedic timing. “Comedy is tricky,” he admits. “Not everyone has the timing for it, especially when slapstick or sarcasm is involved. But that show was like a free workshop—I could try slapstick, surreal bits, or more grounded comedy. Working alongside such talented comedic actors pushed me to sharpen my instincts.” That ‘workshop’ paid off, and Deva found himself more comfortable stepping into comedic roles down the line.
From comedic sitcoms to iconic historical figures, Deva’s range is evident in roles that demanded he portray well-known individuals. In “Slank Nggak Ada Matinya” (2013), he stepped into the shoes of Abdee Negara—Slank’s lead guitarist—often while the real Abdee was on set. Then, in “Guru Bangsa: Tjokroaminoto” (2015), he took on the monumental task of playing Soekarno, Indonesia’s first President and founding father. By chance, Deva had previously interned at the Soekarno Centre in Bali and spoken with Sukmawati Sukarnoputri—Soekarno’s daughter—insights that offered him a more personal perspective than any script or textbook could. “If you’re going to play someone real,” he says, “you need a deep understanding of who they were. Once you have that, the pressure becomes fuel.”
That commitment to complex roles continued in “Sabtu Bersama Bapak” (2016), where he portrayed Cakra—a role that drew critical attention for its emotional depth. “Belok Kanan Barcelona” (2019) paired him with actress Anggika Bölsterli, with the movie earning them a nomination for Best and Most Favourite Couple at the Indonesian Movie Actors Awards. Yet it was “Dancing in the Rain” (2018) that brought him face-to-face with the legendary Christine Hakim—an encounter that, he admits, left a lasting impression.
“Who wouldn’t be inspired after working with Bu Christine?” he says, recalling the quiet discipline she brought to set—never dictating or correcting, but teaching by example. “It’s amazing how someone can share so much without ever saying, ‘This is how you do it.’ She just does it.” That experience stays with him, fuelling his wish for another collaboration—perhaps one that allows for a deeper bond, like a mother-and-son dynamic.
Deva rarely names “favourites,” but if pressed, he’ll single out the film “Avatar” (2009). For him, it’s not just about the visuals or storyline; it’s about how director James Cameron surpassed his own record from “Titanic” (1997), a milestone that stood for over a decade. That achievement, in Deva’s eyes, embodies the power of outdoing oneself rather than idolising a single figure. It’s the same outlook that shapes his everyday choices—why limit himself to one coffee order or favourite colours when there’s a whole world to explore? “I like to try new things,” he admits, a sentiment that drives both his life and his career. Lately, he’s been eyeing roles in action films, seeing them as an opportunity to push himself physically. “Action forces you to stay fit,” he says, “so it’s like hitting two birds with one stone—I get to work on my physique while diving into a genre that excites me.”
Drawing 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—many of whom struggle to live solely on book royalties—with clients seeking copywriting or content services. “It’s not a big moneymaker,” he admits, “but it’s a social business that helps talented writers earn a steady income.”
When it comes to personal style, he leaves room for spontaneity. Some days, he’ll skip a watch entirely; on others, he’ll pick something that pairs effortlessly with a T-shirt, jeans, or oversized pants. “I like to keep things flexible,” he says—an 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’s ever-evolving style.
Between a Netflix project slated for release around Eid al-Fitr and another film planned for Eid al-Adha in May 2025, Deva’s schedule might seem jam-packed. Yet for him, time is deeply personal—something that can be spent in absolute stillness or devoted to purposeful action, free from anyone else’s expectations. On a personal level, he’s focusing on staying healthy and being genuinely present for the people who matter. “Treating time well means actually showing up,” he says. “No matter how busy I get, I don’t just want to say hi online—I want to be there.”
It’s that same approach—valuing presence, embracing each moment, and staying open to whatever comes—that allows clarity to find Deva Mahenra. It’s a nice reminder that every experience shapes us—forever bridging who we were with who we’re becoming—always in motion, always ready for the next chapter ahead.
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Creative Direction & Fashion Styling: Charlene Atalie
Photography: Raja Siregar
Grooming: Arimbi
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