Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 7, 2021)

Dino Morea took a long break from showbiz as he was unhappy with the kind of work coming his way. However, the actor seems to have rebooted his career with four digital shows. While he waits to make a comeback as an actor in movies, Dino is content with the projects that are being offered to him. Interestingly, like the earlier times, the actor continues to grab attention for his dashing looks. At 45, one of Bollywood’s eligible bachelors shares his thoughts on work, relationships and being in touch with his ex. Read on:

Your last stint in a digital project has put you back on the radar. Are you enjoying this attention? Did you miss being in the limelight?
I was disappointed to have gone off screen in the last few years. I wasn’t getting great offers, and so I had to make a conscious decision of not taking up any of these projects. Today, when people see me perform in web shows, they are like, ‘Wow, we didn’t know you could pull off something like this.’ While in the last seven-eight years I missed being in front of the camera, I took the time to polish my skills as an actor. I knew that I was hungry for good work. So, after doing 15 films as a lead actor, I went to Delhi during my break for a few months to study acting. I wanted to see if I missed out on anything. I enjoyed the process of learning and extended my stay for a couple of months. I also worked on my language and focused on my physical fitness. I keenly observed actors performing in movies. I liked what actors like Irrfan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pankaj Tripathi brought to the table. I enjoy watching Ranveer Singh on screen. I also watched a lot of international content.

Back then, you were only written about as a good-looking hero. Did the fact that nobody was writing about you as an actor bother you?
Well, it’s a visual medium and looking good is a part of the process. Sometimes you might have to take off your shirt and during such times it is important that you are in shape. Back then, people did write more about my visual appeal than my acting chops in movies, but it didn’t bother me as long as I was written about. I was happy to be relevant. I have worked on myself in the past few years as an actor and I am happy that has drawn attention towards me both for my looks and performance.

Today, actors are trained and groomed a lot before they make their debut. You have made a comeback at a time when there is a pool of talent waiting in the wings in this highly competitive industry.
I think it is amazing that people are raising the bar. I agree that in today’s times, you need to be better than the best because if you aren’t, you will be eaten up. People are working a lot on themselves these days. I understood that, which is why I kept working on myself. I know that I am up against many people, and if I don’t make an impact, I won’t win.

On the personal front, you have had a fair share of relationships. Do you see yourself getting married in the near future?
I had some ups and downs in my life with relationships. I enjoyed being in a relationship and also faced a few heartbreaks, which everybody knows about as my life has been an open book. I think right now, it’s better for me to stay the way I am, single, and see what life has to throw at me. But overall, yes, I do love companionship. I definitely would like to settle down at some point. The idea of having someone by your side is special and lovely. I want to be a father, too. I love kids and I know I will be a hands-on father.

Do you think relationships bring a lot of complications with them, which makes it difficult to sustain them in today’s times?
Relationships are simple, we make them complex. If we are honest and true towards our relationship, and if both the individuals are on the same page and true to this bond, then it is the most beautiful thing in the world. The minute you stop wanting too much from a relationship things become simple, and it just works out smoothly, which is why I don’t want to rush into marriage. Marriage is an institution that you would want to look at seriously. And if you are not ready for it, then don’t do it. You should live together and figure out things until you feel you can be great companions for life because, at the end of the day, you don’t want to ruin each other’s life. You should add and complement each other rather than take away from each other. Otherwise, you are better off being single.

You have set an example by being good friends with Bipasha Basu, who you dated a long time ago...
I feel adults are mature enough and everyone moves on. You did share a person’s life at some point. All you can do is wish them well and move forward. You cannot live in the past irrespective of how heart-breaking or tough the situation was. The least one can do is be nice and cordial. If you don’t wish to speak with the other person, don’t do it, but don’t be rude. If you are still carrying that baggage of being upset, then it means that you are living in the past.

Your former girlfriend Nandita Mahtani recently got engaged to Vidyut Jammwal…
All I can say is that I wish her well.