Showing posts with label Dharam Deol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dharam Deol. Show all posts
If you really look at Animal, my past is sadder than Ranbir Kapoor’s character-Bobby Deol
8:38 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; October 27, 2025)
Bobby Deol is as raw, honest and real as it gets. His reinvention as Lord Bobby is what stories are made of, but he carries his renewed stardom with quiet grace. The actor who marks 30 years in the industry this year, has reignited the audience’s interest with bold, dark roles – totally redefining the heartthrob Bobby of Barsaat and Bichhoo days. In the latest episode of Philips LatteGo presents Bombay Times Lounge powered by instax FUJIFILM, Bobby bares his heart and talks about stardom, family bonds, lasting friendships and his remarkable resurgence. Watch the full episode that just dropped on the Bombay Times YouTube channel.
After many years of staying away from the spotlight, your comeback was interesting – it was marked by your evolution and reinvention as an actor. The audience lapped Bobby as the baddie. How did it feel transitioning to the dark side on screen?
The problem in the world is that people who are bad don’t think they’re bad, because if they knew that, they wouldn’t be bad. So, whenever I play negative characters, I don’t think I’m bad, because if you think that way, then your performance becomes unreal. You have to be the character. You have your own backstory about why you are reacting or feeling this way. If you really look at Animal, my past is sadder than Ranbir’s character. So, I thought about myself as a guy who wanted to protect his family, and for that, he would give his life or take others’ lives.
OTT played a huge role in changing the game for you. Shows like Aashram and Class of ’83 brought out facets of you as an actor we had never seen before. How do you view this turnaround in your career?
As an actor, OTT platforms gave me the opportunity to play characters I was seeking, which were outside my comfort zone and away from my image. I am very proud of Class Of '83, which many might not have seen because it released a week after Aashram. For me, the only thing that mattered was to be accepted as an actor, not a star.
You have seen the heights of stardom. People will always look at you as a star.
I don’t think of myself as a star. I never do. I’m just a normal person who’s trying to do his job, and luckily, it’s a creative job. To be an actor, to be on a set and create different characters - that is what I really enjoy doing.
Talking about OTT, the series The Ba***ds Of Bollywood helmed by Aryan Khan... how was it being directed by someone you have seen grow up?
I got a phone call from their team saying, ‘We’re producing this web series and Aryan Khan is directing it, would you be interested?’ I just said, ‘I’m doing it’. Because I’m a father myself, I have kids (Aryaman and Dharam) who want to be actors, and I know how difficult it is and how much pressure there is. Whatever people say about the industry, we are very close-knit in many ways. We have a great bond, and we care about each other. I sat with Aryan for seven hours for the narration, and the conviction with which he narrated the whole story to me – I was just taken in by it. He was like this child. I call him a child because he’s like a child to me.
Did it remind you of your early days? Being a superstar’s son, did you feel the pressure at the start? Could you relate to Aryan on that level?
The funniest thing is, I never thought about all these things when I was starting out. I really didn’t. In fact, not for a very long time in my career. Later on, when people would say, ‘You were always under the shadow of your dad and your brother,’ and I would think, was I? I never felt it. I never looked at my career like that.
You are looking fitter than ever before, and I believe you’ve given up alcohol?
Yes, I have, and it has really helped me. Everyone is genetically different, and no one realizes how any kind of intoxication can affect you. And some people have those genes where you get addicted to things. I just decided that God has given me a second chance, and I really, really want to do my best. You don’t get these kinds of chances in life. The voice has to come from within. I think I’m a better person after I stopped drinking, and I think my relationship has become a hundred times better with everyone I know.
‘Aryan is a perfectionist, feel so proud of him’
Talking about being directed by Aryan Khan for The Ba**ads Of Bollywood, he says, “Aryan is so mature in his thinking. He’s a real taskmaster and a perfectionist. It was like my own son telling me, ‘I want this, I want you to do it this way.’ If The Ba**ads Of Bollywood is what it is, it’s because of Aryan. He’s proved it to the world. With the pressure he was under… being a superstar like Shah Rukh Khan’s son, to have the guts to step out and have his own voice as a director – hats off to him. I feel so proud of him!”
‘Never give up on yourself’
"Life can never be easy, no matter how talented you are. There are so many cases of people being talented, but not getting work. And there have been cases of so many people who are not talented, but are getting work. But that shouldn’t make you want to make excuses or give up on yourself."
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Though they are my kids, I don’t want them to get carried away by glamour; they are not special-Bobby Deol
8:30 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 13, 2023)
Actor Sunny Deol’s son, actor Karan Deol, is back in the spotlight due to his wedding news. In the days when star kids are plastered over magazine covers, and are faces of high-end brands without even making their debuts, the Deols have ensured that their lads keep it low-key.
Actor Bobby Deol wants his sons, Aryaman (21) and Dharam (17), to lead a “normal life”. He says, “They are not special. Though they are my kids, I don’t want them to get carried away by glamour, because it can take you away from things. That is why we (Deols) are like that. I was brought up that way.”
Sharing what his sons wish to pursue professionally, Bobby confirms that they want to get into acting. “Both my sons will become actors. They are studying… My son (Aryaman) is graduating from New York University. I’m very proud of him,” he adds.
In the meantime, Bobby, 54, is “trying to challenge” himself as an actor. From doing bold scenes in OTT projects to debuting down south — the actor doesn’t “fear anything anymore”. He is quite excited about his next, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal. “I am a big fan of Ranbir (Kapoor; co-star). He is an awesome actor. Working with him was fun,” he adds.
Despite such enticing projects, Bobby is not satisfied: “You never get the platter that you are looking for.” He adds that he now wishes to do “an emotional family drama”.
I believe in myself more than I ever did. Even if I fail today, I can bounce back-Bobby Deol
8:56 AM
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.
Stories like Aashram have grown out of what’s happening around us-Bobby Deol
8:32 AM
Bobby Deol plays a Godman in MX Original Series, Aashram, which starts streaming from August 28; insists OTT has given him a chance to reinvent himself
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 25, 2020)
After 25 years in the showbiz, Bobby Deol is all set to begin a new innings on the OTT platform, with the MX Original Series, Aashram, streaming on MX Player. The actor plays a Godman accused of manipulating the blind faith of his followers. “Good things are finally happening, I have worked really hard and now my work is speaking for me,” exults Bobby, who’s now looking for challenging roles that will break his image. “This is a chance to reinvent myself, prove myself as a versatile actor and connect with a generation that hasn’t seen me yet.” He admits that one of his reasons for doing Aashram was producer-director Prakash Jha. “When you are choosing such relevant subjects, you need someone who will do it right,” asserts the actor, confiding that the director inspired him in the gym too. “I’d wake up every morning at 5.30 am, during the shoot, to find him halfway through his workout, then, stay energised through the day,” he marvels.
The show was filmed in a palace in Ayodhya and to give it the ambience of an ashram, Jha had greenery planted around it five months before the shoot. “It was beautiful,” Bobby raves, admitting that he didn’t need much prep because the script is so beautifully penned. “I spent a month-and-a-half with my diction trainer, as in my dialogues there were at least four words in a sentence that I didn’t understand,” he laughs.
Bobby’s father, Dharmendra, has been at his farmhouse since the Coronavirus lockdown in March. Is he planning a visit to Khandala? “I’d love to, but we are worried we could carry the virus there, even if we seem fine. Why take that chance? Also, my boys (Aryaman and Dharam) are schooling online and there is no wifi at the farmhouse. Right now, the more we stay away from each other, the better,” he asserts, admitting the family is missing the patriarch. “We are an emotional and close-knit family and there is a 4G corner in the farmhouse. So, even though the reception is so bad, we chat daily.”
At home, younger son Dharam has been pushing Bobby into working out daily. “You think you know your kids, but you don’t, till you sit with them. The lockdown gave me that chance,” he reveals. So, will we see him with a six-pack soon? “If it’s required, sure. But at my age, it won’t be easy. Right now, the focus is to look fit and healthy as that gives me the confidence and energy to work more.”
And how are the kids reacting to his new innings? “I know they are proud of their father for trying something different. They read all the reviews and interviews and are happy with all the appreciation I am getting,” he shares, adding that the new industry kids are getting to do diverse work early on. “It’s been more difficult for me, but OTT provides varied opportunities.”
But doesn’t a show like Aashram stand the risk of hurting religious sentiments? “These stories have grown out of what’s happening around us and create awareness. Prakash ji is only warning us not to fall prey to blind superstitions. There is a disclaimer at the beginning, stating that we respect every religion and belief,” he informs, adding that all speculation around his character will be proved wrong, once the show starts streaming on MX Player from August 28. “I’ve never done a web series before, so I’m going to binge watch it through the night,” he says excitedly.
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