Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; September 13, 2020)

He made his Bollywood debut with Barsaat (1995), and since then, Bobby Deol has played varied roles across genres. The actor hit a rough patch in his career a few years ago, before coming back with a makeover in Race 3 (2018). Raring to go, he is now exploring new avenues and mediums. As he celebrates 25 years in Bollywood this year, Bobby looks back at his journey so far. Excerpts from a chat...

You have been a part of about 45 films in 25 years. Tell us about some of your most unforgettable experiences?
I have been working for many years, and every film has left me with pleasant memories. However, the one memory I cherish the most is of the day I faced the camera for the first time. It was for a film by Shekhar Kapur also starring Twinkle Khanna (he had appeared as a child artiste in the 1977 film, Dharam Veer). It was a simple shot where I was walking down the stairs, leading to an arena where I was supposed to have a fight. The first day on a film set felt like a dream come true. I shot for that film for 27 days, but it never got made. Shekhar got an opportunity to direct Bandit Queen (1994), and he had to choose between that film and ours. Since the former was a gateway to Hollywood, my dad (Dharmendra, who was the producer of that film) didn’t push him to do it.

You faced a lull in your career before coming back with a makeover in Race 3 (2018). Looking back, do you regret not reinventing yourself a little earlier on?
As an actor, you think of becoming secure and fearless at the same time. There have been times when I tried to do something different, but it didn’t work. That’s when you think of taking a safer path. After seeing the ups and downs, and then making a comeback, I felt that I needed to take chances in life. I became fearless and took chances. With Race 3, I was trying to get noticed and get more work. I am really happy with the opportunities that came my way post that. The OTT projects feel like a great start to a new life. Now, I believe in myself more than I ever did. I feel that even if I fail today, I have the capacity to bounce back. I am in a much happier space in life. I am always going to be persistent.

Was there a particular moment that prompted you to get your act together?
One day, I heard my sons asking their mom, ‘Why is dad at home? Doesn’t he go to work like you do?’ That was the trigger point.

You have ventured into the digital space this year.In fact,your web show, Aashram on MX Player, has won a lot of appreciation. How has your experience been exploring a new medium in the 25th year of your career?
Shooting for a web show is just like shooting for a movie, just that in the former, you are shooting for a five-hour-long movie (laughs!). I feel that web shows are a great platform for new actors to showcase their talent.

You are known as one of the most shy and reserved actors in Bollywood. But, is there someone who you have opened up to and connected well with, in the industry over the years?
I have done many films with Abbas-Mustan (Ajnabee, Humraaz, Naqaab), and they treat me like a younger brother. I have fond memories of working with them. That apart, I am very fond of Preity Zinta. I call her Pritam Singh. I knew her from even before she became an actor. She used to be a part of my friends’ group. I remember she was studying Criminal Psychology and asked me to be her case study. I turned her offer down (laughs!). I had suggested her name to Abbas-Mustan bhai for Soldier (1998) and that’s how we got cast.

Over the past few months, there have been debates about favouritism and nepotism in Bollywood. While you were never a part of any film circles or camps, the fact remains that you come from a starry family?
I don’t believe in being a part of any camp, and that’s the way I have been brought up. Chaplusi karna aadat nahi hai hamari. My family has been away from all this. My dad struggled his way into the film industry. He is the biggest example of an outsider making it big in Bollywood. I am blessed that I am his son and part of this profession. If the nepotism bit was true, toh mere paas kaam aate rehna chahiye tha.

You followed your father and elder brother’s (Sunny Deol) footsteps into the industry. Are your sons gearing up for a career in movies as well?
My sons are just 18 (Aryaman) and 15 (Dharam) years old. My older son is academically inclined; he is a class topper and has got selected by one of the top universities in the US. He is studying Business Management. He still has a few years to decide his career choice. The younger one is in 9th grade. I have seen how the industry has become competitive over the years. It is not easy for everyone to make a mark. At this point, I just want them to be well-educated, so that they can explore various career options.