Ever since his film debut in 2005 with Socha Na Tha, actor Abhay Deol has walked on the road less travelled to find his own identity, unlike his more popular Deol siblings. And he reveals that the challenges have only grown with time. “I know I can do a lot more as an actor if given the chance. But it is harder to come by that chance,” Abhay says.

The actor, who is the nephew of veteran actor Dharmendra, adds, “Even though I did the films I did, it is difficult to stay in the field and be constantly pushing. There is a saying that ‘a man is not an island’; similarly, filmmaking is a collective process. You think it will become easier because you have delivered, but with the industry growing, the pressure for delivering on the investment is also higher.”

He reveals that he was told to do films for the audience and not himself, which irked him. “I found it extremely patronizing to say that you don’t have to like it as long as the audience likes it. I had to sacrifice stardom and big numbers to be allowed the freedom to cater to the audience I wanted,” he tells us.

Abhay went to carve his own space in the industry through projects such as Manorama Six Feet Under (2007), Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye (2008), Dev.D (2009), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and Jungle Cry. While his choices are often considered unique and unconventional, the 46-year-old says he never desired any such tag. “It is a tag I got because I was trying to make space for myself and stick to my authenticity in an environment that is so much about packaging and selling. I come from a [well-known] family. When I started (in films), the makers said, ‘You have a family that has an image, why don’t you just take advantage of that?’.” He adds, “That was the first thing that made things a little different.”

Ask about the way forward and Abhay asserts that he wants to continue to do projects that speak to him. What about trying his hand at direction? “I am open to the idea. I have found some comfort to have confidence for the same. The desire is growing by the day,” he ends.