Before coming to Tamil cinema, Deva worked in the television field. In those days Deva's brothers were working in the musical group of Ilaiyaraja and other music directors as musicians playing instruments. His first movie,Maattukkaar Mannaru, was released in 1986. He was then called to work on the movie "Vaigasi Poranthachu". After the release of "Vaigasi Poranthachu", his name became known throughout the Tamil community.