Actor Abhay Deol on the inevitability of love, and the necessity of reducing our carbon footprints in this world
Nona Walia (TIMES LIFE; May 19, 2019)

You are a minimalist. Did that involve changing a lot in your life?
I don’t buy a lot of clothes; I use them until they cannot be used anymore. I don’t have multiple cars, I cycle whenever and wherever I can. That bit is not possible in Mumbai though.

How important is it to be an eco-warrior and live consciously?
It’s important for all of us to do something to protect Earth. Being a public figure, my voice can carry much further than the average person. That’s me taking advantage of what I have. But everyone has advantages and disadvantages. It’s time for everyone to focus on what they can do, not what they can’t.

Recently, I built a house in Goa that is rather grand, and it occurred to me that I hadn’t considered the impact of climate change. Out of guilt I started to look for ways to reduce the carbon footprint of my house. I already have rain water harvesting on site. I am going to install solar panels, compost my wet waste, recycle the dry, planted vegetables on site, and I’m putting up a natural filtration pool. When I am filming, I carry glass bottles and fill them with filtered water instead of using plastic ones. I don’t buy colas or use plastic bags.

From divesting in companies that pollute, to fitting my house with green technologies – solar power, composting, rain water harvesting, growing my own vegetables, I continue to search for green technologies and encourage others to do the same wherever they can. It’s our choices today that will affect our environment and our lives tomorrow.

What’s the private side of you like?
The private side of me wouldn’t be so private if I spoke about it on a public platform. But I can say this much, with me what you see is what you get – on and off screen.

How important are relationships in your life?
Our lives are built upon relationships... unless you are a hermit. I treat people the way I expect to be treated. I’m extremely loyal and forgiving and look for the same in others. The people you surround yourself with define you and your outlook to life. Love to me is... something that cannot and should not be controlled.

How do you deal with heartbreak?
Pretty well if I should say so myself! I wasn’t always like that but you live and learn (hopefully!). Nothing is permanent and if you understand that then you cannot get hurt – only more enlightened. Anything and everything can be used to better yourself.

What is the biggest life lesson you’ve learned?
That you are always learning. Never think that you know it all.

A turning point in your life…
There’s a turn around every corner. I actively look for them as it makes the road more interesting and more fun to navigate. Once you see the turns, you are constantly evolving and moving. Why relegate it to just one instant?

Define happiness
Being thankful for what I have in the moment.

How can one remain softhearted and compassionate in a tough world?
By not attaching yourself to the highs and lows, by seeing everything as transient. Happiness and sadness are two sides of the same coin. I am privileged to have experienced both.

What do challenges signify to you?
Growth.

How do you conquer the darkness of the mind?
By recognising that it is just the absence of light. And there is light everywhere. All you must do is open your eyes.

Your spiritual quotient…
I don’t need a quotient when it comes to being spiritual. We all are every moment of every day. All we need to do is accept it.

How do you handle social media (praise, criticism and controversies)?
There is no risk if you accept it all in the same spirit – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

PERSONAL SPACE

“I LOVE ANYTHING OUTDOORS”
Fitness regimen: I mix it up. Weights, yoga, swimming, running. I have started meditation too. Recently, I pushed myself too much and have caused an injury. My focus at the moment is on healing and it has highlighted the importance of striking a balance. I love cycling and swimming. Anything outdoors.

“DO YOU WANT A LIFE OR A GREAT LIFE?”
Beyond physical health: Fitness isn’t so much about looking good... it’s about feeling good. It has an impact on your mind and as a result, has a direct relationship with your life. It can be the difference between having a life and having a great life. It’s important to sleep early and wake up early for your mental awareness. A routine is a must for the complete experience.

“I AVOID GLUTEN”
Diet regimen: I make sure I eat both fruits and vegetables. I eat meat for proteins. I don’t measure my food and I don’t eat packaged meals – only freshly cooked ones. I eat a bit of sweet too in the day. I avoid gluten whenever I can and limit my intake of dairy.

“I WOULDN’T HAVE SURVIVED A 9-5 JOB”
Work-life balance: I am fortunate to be in a job that goes from project to project. I wouldn’t have survived a 9-to-5 life. I avoid shooting more than two films back to back and take time out in between each project. I don’t take my work home, and switch off when I’m not on set. I rarely watch movies since I make them and have interests in other things. I travel a lot, especially to countries where I’m unknown so that I live like a regular average guy, not being treated like a celebrity.

“NEVER WORSHIP ANYONE ELSE BUT NATURE”
Your personal mantra: Read, be curious, practise what you preach, don’t judge too soon, have empathy, never worship anyone else but nature, be conscious of your environment, travel, love, experiment, make mistakes, have compassion, learn to forgive, lose control, don’t be afraid, make your own path and have your own ideals. And yes, question everything!