Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; May 20, 2019)

It’s four years since the good-looking Dino Morea has been missing in action on the silver screen. He was last seen in a cameo in the horror film Alone (2015). Now, the Raaz actor is all set to make a comeback with the web series Mentalhood, which also marks his digital debut. The series revolves around parenthood, especially mothers, who are competitive about their children.

Interestingly, Dino will be the only one in the mix as the stay-at-home single parent bringing up two little kids. With his suave and debonair looks, the actor is sure to give the mommies a run for their money. Here, the 43-year-old actor tells us why he had disappeared from the scene and what prompted him to make a comeback.

It’s been quite a while since we saw you on screen. What kept you away?
I took a break. I wasn’t getting anything great to be a part of. But, now the digital space has opened up and given everyone an opportunity to face the camera and do fantastic work. There is some great writing on web. What appealed to me about Mentalhood was the way it’s written —light and interesting. There are six main characters, five mothers besides me. I play a single parent with two children. The writing is so today and funny — about how competitive parents get about their children. Lot of families go through this and any mother or father watching it will relate to the issues. The fact that Ekta Kapoor is producing the series and it will be streamed on Alt Balaji, also appealed to me and I decided to be a part of it. I was dying to be in front of the camera and now I am excited about it.

How challenging was it working with the kids?
I love kids tremendously. When I am with my friends’ children, I become like a father to them and that pretty much comes across in the series. I play a father and mother to five-year-old twins (a boy and a girl). I could put them at ease. Sometimes it is tough to handle them as they get tired and cranky, which gets into the performance. In one of the scenes my daughter had to cry and scream and it was uneasy. At such times, I would tell them stories and make them believe that they are doing something fun. But, you get to learn a lot from the children by just watching their behaviour. It’s amazing.

How did you prep for the role?
Several of my friends are married and have children. I got a lot of information from them and took notes on how they are with their kids, the reactions, how involved they are in the school activities, etc. Sometimes, after reading the script, I would ask my friends, who are single parents, if such a thing really happens and they would say it does exactly like that. You will see me participating in whatever activities other mommies are doing in school!

How was it working with Karisma Kapoor 18 years after Baaz — A Bird In Danger?
She is an absolute professional. We have grown and matured as actors. Karisma has a massive body of work and she is looking lovely in the series. We have a brilliant bunch of actors and we are feeding off each other, which you will see.

What about films, is anything on the anvil?
Obviously, I was looking for good films, but it is only in the last one year that great content is being made in movies also. Whether it’s AndhaDhun, Badhaai Ho or Stree, people are focussing on content right now. The industry has changed tremendously — actors are getting good opportunities and fantastic scripts are being written. It’s a brilliant phase of good cinema. Movies with big stars, which unfortunately do not have great stories aren’t doing well, while films with great content, good writing and small actors are doing Rs 100 crores business. There is a shift in the dynamics of filmmaking. I am in a happy phase. Soon, I will announce my next web series. For some reason there was a misconception that after producing Jism 2, I am not interested in acting. Being a producer doesn’t mean that I have stopped being an actor. But now that people know I am back, I’m getting interesting offers. Everything I have wanted and worked for in the last four years is happening now.

Didn’t you get disheartened at any point? 
As actors, we always get disheartened about not getting the right opportunities. And when you see others doing that work, you feel, why not me? But, I was working on myself and keeping myself prepared, so that if I am told you have to shoot next week I am ready. I have an acting coach with whom I have been doing scenes, working on my speech, diction, action, practicing football and keeping myself fit.