Deols have been appreciated for their work, and not because they have marketed themselves well-Sunny Deol
7:50 AM
Posted by Fenil Seta
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Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; May 2, 2019)
On screen, he is known for his hard-hitting dialogues that are as powerful as the punches of his dhai-kilo-hath. But off screen, Sunny Deol has always been perceived as someone who is soft-spoken and reticent. In this interview conducted before he announced his decision to join politics, the National Award-winning actor spoke about his upcoming film Blank, his shy demeanour, directing his son's debut film, the nepotism debate and more. Excerpts from the conversation:
Over the last three years, you have tried your hand at comedy, (Bhaiaji Superhit, Mohalla Assi, Yamla Pagla Deewana…Phir Se), and now, you are back with an action film, Blank. Do you feel that your fans prefer to see you in the action genre?
I agree that my fans want to see me more in action films. They prefer to watch me fight goons and do hardcore action. Having said that, it’s always the script that makes the difference, whether it is a comedy or an action film. It is not that I tried to do something different by being part of comedy films, because at the end of the day, it is the character or the subject that motivates me to take up a movie.
In Blank, I play an Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief, who tries to prevent a terrorist attack. A young guy (Karan Kapadia) has a bomb planted in his heart, but does not know about it. My character knows about it, and it becomes my responsibility to prevent it from exploding. I found the character intriguing.
Karan Kapadia, who makes his debut with Blank, is Simple Kapadia’s (Dimple Kapadia’s late sister) son. Did you agree to be a part of the film because you are close to his family?
When they narrated the script to me, they did not tell me that Karan is being launched in Blank. They just felt that the role was right for me. I, too, wanted to play an ATS officer, and so, I agreed.
I know that people will connect me with Karan because I have known his family since he was a child, but that is not the reason I am doing this film. I think we should focus on the fact that this film has a good script and one should not take away the dignity of the characters by digressing. Karan is a good actor; he is like clay, which can be moulded as per the need of the character.
Did you have any qualms about working with a debutant director (Behzad Khambata)?
We are all here to learn and make better films. The experience part comes later. When you work together with some people, you realise that you connect well with them. So, yes, it was great working with Behzad.
Over the past few years, we have seen many Bollywood films revolving around subjects like patriotism and terrorism. Do you think that it has become a trend?
I don’t feel the need to categorise any film. Why should a film be tagged as evoking love for the country? Don’t we all love our country? I don’t feel that a movie should be marketed or sold that way. I find it very sad. I have done many patriotic films, but they worked because of the character and its script, and not because it was following some trend.
Your dad, Dharmendra, launched you in Betaab. Now, you are doing the same for your son Karan. How do you view this considering the fact that the nepotism debate has been raging in Bollywood?
When I was launched in Betaab, nobody spoke of nepotism. There is something new that comes up every now and then. Today, we are talking about this, tomorrow something else will become the topic of discussion. People don’t tire here. But to answer your question, a person can succeed only if he has talent. In fact, I feel an individual without any filmi background has more chances of shining, at times. There are good and bad sides to everything.
Do you say so because your father didn’t have any connections in the industry when he entered films?
No, I don’t mean it that way, but nothing is easy here. People hate you, love you or mistreat you a lot. It is not that kids of stars don’t go through difficult times.
But you do enjoy a certain loyal fan following…
I had to prove myself for that! They show love for my work and not for any other reason. A person is judged only for his work. The talks revolving around nepotism are for the time being. Today, we start blaming the government or politicians for not doing a particular thing. But, don’t you feel the onus is on us, too? We need to get our act right rather than blame people for it. We complain that the system is corrupt, but what are we, as citizens, doing to resolve it? When such topics become so huge, I don’t feel like commenting on them because it is just a big noise out there. Jo sambhal chuke hain woh inn discussions mein shareek nahin hotey.
What are the changes you observe in the content and the way things function in the film industry today?
The world was much simpler earlier; the situation is different now. Today, our lives revolve around two-three mobile phones. It has become a way of life. When I was launched, I didn’t take the pressure. I just knew that people will love me for my work. I haven’t watched many films to comment on the content. But, somewhere I feel we don’t make the kind of meaningful content we used to. We are attempting too many remakes. People are doing things that are trendy and marketed well. Nobody has faith in themselves. They only want to do what works. Very few people attempt to make a film on a subject only because they are passionate about it. Everyone wants the security of a safe product. Gadar - Ek Prem Katha was a hit, but many people criticised it, too. Some didn’t like the music, while others felt it was more of a Punjabi film. I have done movies because doing those gave me a kick. When I was mouthing the dhai kilo haath or taareekh pe taarekh dialogue, I didn’t know it will be remembered. We did not know that it was a sure-shot formula for success, we just enjoyed our work.
We don’t see you attending parties or posting holiday pictures on social media...
There is nothing wrong with attending parties. I don’t drink, and I am happy with the way I exist around my family. I do post a few pictures on social media because I know I should be there, but I don’t know how to take it further.
In many of Dharam ji’s interviews, he has said that the Deols have not got the kind of roles they deserve. Do you agree?
We are in people’s hearts and they love us. Maybe that’s because we have been appreciated for our work and not because we have marketed ourselves well. My father is the only actor who has done a variety of roles that probably no other actor has attempted. I don’t know about me, but I do feel that about my father.
In your 36-year-long inning in films, you haven’t been part of any camp within the industry. Has that affected the way your career panned out?
Yes, there are camps in the film industry. One individual praises a person and then, everyone else praises him. The next day you praise someone else and it goes on. This requires so much energy. I don’t have that kind of energy. I believe in doing my work. If you like it then that’s great, and if you don’t, then I will work harder and do something else.
You debuted with Amrita Singh in Betaab. Is it true that you also wanted to cast Sara Ali Khan opposite your son in his debut movie?
Yes, that was at the back of my mind, but it didn’t happen. I have seen Sara and I feel she is full of life, like her mother (Amrita Singh).
We don’t see you posing with your wife (Pooja Deol) or expressing your views on love, relationships or marriage…
I don’t do that because it is something personal. When it comes to love, I am not different from anybody else in the world. I have similar feelings about love and family values. I live in a joint family, so we all rub off on each other. In fact, my son often surprises me when he observes things about me.
Are you aware of a video that featured Dimple Kapadia and you chatting at a bus stop in a foreign country, going viral, a year ago?
People have all the time in this world to discuss things. Like I said earlier, I am not bothered about which video comes out or who talks about it, as long as I know who I am and what I am responsible for. I am answerable to myself and not the world.
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This entry was posted on October 4, 2009 at 12:14 pm, and is filed under
Amrita Singh,
Betaab,
Blank,
Dharmendra,
Dimple Kapadia,
Gadar,
Interviews,
Karan Deol,
Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas,
Pooja Deol,
Sara Ali Khan,
Sunny Deol,
Sunny Deol interview
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