Exclusive! I always dreamt of it, now I am actually going to the moon: Dev Joshi

TV actor Dev Joshi on Friday announced that he will be joining the ‘dearMoon CREW’ and taking a week-long trip around the moon in a SpaceX rocket next year. The ‘dearMoon’ project was first announced in 2017 and is the first civilian mission to the moon. Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa purchased all the seats aboard the rocket and recently revealed the names of the eight people who will be joining him for the all-private lunar endeavour. Dev is one of them and incidentally the youngest among the visitors.

Dev, best known for his show Baalveer which he acted in for 10 years, shares how he applied for this project. While speaking exclusively to Bombay Times, he says, “I’ve always been interested in knowing about space. I like to read about the universe and the companies who focus on these subjects. So when I was shooting for Baalveer in 2021, I came across this post which said that a Japanese billionaire is taking artistes to space. It was a unique opportunity, so I visited their website and applied.”

The 22-year-old actor adds, “The process of selection was really long. I had to go through physical tests, meetings and interviews, where they wanted to know about me and if I am fit to go to the moon. I also got to meet Yusaku Maezawa. There were around 10 lakh applications from all over the world and there were many rounds before the eight names were finalised. I always dreamt of this and now I’m actually going to the moon. I am extremely happy and excited.”

So what does he think worked in his favour? “My passion for learning helped me. Also, Yusaku Maezawa himself said in an introductory video that I am young, inspiring and motivating for the young generation in India. That is one of the reasons I think they chose me.”