A quick look at Abhay Deol’s repertoire will tell you that playing a dad won’t faze him. “I played one in Manorama [Six Feet Under],” he says as we discuss his new film, Spin, where he essays the role of a supportive father to Avantika Vandanapu. “Bollywood normalises 50-plus actors with 20-plus heroines because of their insecurity about ageing. It’s funny because next to younger actresses, they look even older. My upcoming Netflix show has me going from 30s to the 50s. I can play roles of different ages without hang-ups.”

Disney’s first Indo-American movie, directed by Manjari Makijany, revolves around a teenager following her passion for DJing. Deol believes the film is a significant step in representing South Asian culture on screen. “It’s telling the story of an American kid and suggesting not to judge them by their skin colour. [My character] doesn’t have an American twang. In keeping it as a regular story, Disney has made a statement about how American culture is a composite of many cultures. South Asian culture being represented front and centre does a great deal for brown kids who can [now see] themselves on screen. It makes them feel less on the periphery.”

Never one to have patience for formulaic films, Deol charted his own path in the Hindi film industry, fronting stories that spoke to him. The actor, who has a web series on Uphaar Cinema tragedy in the pipeline, is glad that the OTT boom has created an alternate universe of entertainment. “Now, there are platforms showcasing the talent of those who don’t conform to Bollywood. Formula filmmakers don’t realise that the generation, which has grown up on the Internet, will not look at stardom the way they do.”