Dev Raturi

Dev Raturi (born 1976) is an Indian restaurateur[1], a social activist, and an actor based in China. Known as Defu [2]in China, he has appeared in many Chinese film and television productions and has opened a chain of restaurants [3]in multiple Chinese cities. He is the recipient of Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman 2025[4], one of the two highest civilian honours bestowed by the state of Uttarakhand.

Early life

Raturi was born in 1976 in Kemriya Saur[5] village, in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India. A die-hard fan of Bruce Lee, he wanted to follow into his idol's footsteps. To pursue his acting interest, he auditioned for a role in a TV serial in 1998, directed by Puneet Issar, but could not succeed. In 2005[6], he got a job at an Indian restaurant in China. By 2015[7], he owned two restaurants and in the same year, got his first break[8] in the film industry with a small role of an Indian character in a Chinese film named Special SWAT.

Entrepreneurship Journey

Dev Raturi opened his first restaurant [9] in Xi’an, China in 2013 and by 2025, owned 11 Indian restaurants[10] across various cities in China.

Awards and achievements

He received the Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman 2025[11][4] on the occasion of Uttarakhand State Foundation Day Silver Jubilee celebrations. Among other recipeints included Padma Shri Jaspal Rana (shooter), late actor & writer Tom Alter, Chipko movement leader Gaura Devi, and writer Shailesh Matiyani.

Community Work

Dev Raturi has worked to empower underprivileged children through education. In Jan 2025, he [12]adopted two villages of Tehri, Sunargaon and Kemaria Saur[13]for investment and development.

References

  1. ^ 王佳慧. "Indian food tickling Chinese taste buds". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  2. ^ 腾讯网 (2024-02-10). "老外中国过春节｜印度人德福：从月薪1600元到连锁餐饮老板，新年希望成为中印文化交流大使_腾讯新闻". news.qq.com (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  3. ^ "老外中国过春节②｜印度人德福：从月薪1600元到连锁餐饮老板，新年希望成为中印文化交流大使". m.cnhubei.com. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  4. ^ a b "07-11-2025 : Governor Takes Salute at Ceremonial Parade During the State Foundation Day Silver Jubilee Celebrations. | LOK BHAVAN UTTARAKHAND | India". Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  5. ^ "This man, who once used to clean tables, worked as waiter in India, is now a superstar in China, earned a name in..., he is..." www.india.com. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  6. ^ "Abbreviations Used in the Text", Collaboration, Harvard University Press, pp. xi–xiv, 2005-12-31, doi:10.4159/9780674270596-002, ISBN 978-0-674-27059-6, retrieved 2025-12-21
  7. ^ "Dev Raturi: 44-year-old from Uttarakhand is a film star in China". Hindustan Times. 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  8. ^ "This Indian Movie Star Has A Chapter In Chinese Textbook. Read His Story". www.ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 2025-05-05. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  9. ^ "Dev Raturi: Uttarakhand man movie star in China, features in textbook". The Times of India. 2023-07-26. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  10. ^ 王佳慧. "Indian food tickling Chinese taste buds". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  11. ^ "राज्यपाल ने ली रैतिक परेड की सलामी : आठ को उत्तराखंड गौरव सम्मान". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  12. ^ Post, Garhwal (2025-01-19). "The Raturis of Garhwal | Garhwal Post". Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  13. ^ Palace, Amber (2025-02-10). "Dev Raturi Honoured by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami at First International Pravasi Meet in Dehradun – Amber Palace". Retrieved 2025-12-21.
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