He’s been in the industry for over two decades, but Dino Morea says this is the most interesting phase of his career. He is enthused about what lies ahead as he believes that filmmakers are now seeing him in a different light. After his villainous act in the period web series The Empire, he’s all set to make his Telugu debut with Surender Reddy’s spy thriller titled Agent, where once again, he will be seen as the antagonist.

Talking about how he enjoys doing action sequences, Dino says, “In the earlier phase of my career, filmmakers only perceived me as this sweet, good-looking boy next door. I was offered to play a romantic hero, but never got an opportunity to do an all-out action film. I have a knack for action as I am fit and flexible, but no one has ever tapped that part of my personality. In Agent, I will get to do some raw brutal action and I’m excited about that.”

While growing up, Dino loved binging on hardcore action content and so he’s thrilled to be a part of the genre now. He shares, “It’s quite an exciting genre as I have loved watching such films as an audience. So, for me to act in an action film where the good guys or the underdogs win is what I was always looking forward to. Some of the action movies (and franchises) I grew up watching were First Blood, Commando, Rocky, Rambo, Mission: Impossible, Die Hard and The Bourne Identity. Closer home, I have enjoyed watching Amit ji’s (Amitabh Bachchan) action films like Deewar, Trishul and Don.”

Not only did he enjoy watching these, but they also inspired him to turn to action. And then there were his favourite action stars like, “Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John-Claude Van Damme, Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt.” He was in awe of seeing them do action on screen.

Talking about his look from the film, which also stars Akhil Akkineni and Mammootty, Dino says, “I play an agent who’s gone rogue. He’s quite a crazy guy, and an anti-hero. I am flaunting long hair and a beard. It has been nearly three years since I have seen my face without any facial hair. I grew my hair and beard for The Empire and haven’t cut it since then (laughs),” he shares.

So, does he enjoy playing characters with grey shades? “There’s a certain madness you can bring to a negative character and the audience loves watching that. Even as a kid, when I watched James Bond movies, I remembered the villains more than the protagonist. Look at The Dark Knight, the character of the Joker is unforgettable in that film,” he explains.

While Dino has been a part of South films like Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000), Julie (2006) and Solo (2017), with Agent, he makes his debut in Telugu cinema. “They are making fantastic movies. We all know that some of their films have been huge blockbusters. I am working with director Surender Reddy, who has already made some highly successful films. So, why not? I am an actor and I need to be seen in a different kind of cinema and the story just floored me,” he signs off.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

All I can say is that I wish her well.

Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 13, 2020)

After debuting on OTT with Mentalhood, this year, where he played the role of a doting dad, Dino Morea took on the role of the antagonist in Hostages 2. “The OTT experience has been outstanding because you instantly reach out to millions of viewers as compared to a movie, though movies have a charm that is unmatched. I don’t differentiate between mediums and I feel if your web show is interesting and people love it, then it reaches out to a wide number of people all over the world. I enjoyed the roles in both projects I was a part of and I am looking forward to the other OTT projects that I am currently working on,” he shares.

With everyone raising the bar and trying to excel on OTT, Morea feels “you can’t be mediocre on OTT.” He adds, “The content on OTT is outstanding. There are so many options and so many platforms out there. I am enjoying being on OTT and the roles coming my way.”

Morea started his acting career with Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999), and followed it with a number of hit films including Raaz (2002) and Aksar (2005), among others. But in the last 10 years, he wasn’t seen much on screen. Talking about the long gaps in his career, he says, “When I came into the industry, I didn’t know anyone. I was modelling and I got one opportunity after another. This industry has given me life and my home. I am extremely grateful to the industry for making me who I am today. My journey has been wonderful even if I have not scaled the heights that I wanted to. I took a step back because of the kind of movies I was getting. I took a conscious decision not to accept stupid films and scripts that were coming my way.”

He admits that he didn’t want to be part of movies that he didn’t believe in. “I felt I was digging my grave by making ridiculous choices. I took a step back and continued to be a part of the movies. I produced a movie, Jism 2 (2012), thereafter I went to Delhi and did an acting course. Now, I am producing another film called Helmet starring Aparshakti Khurana. One hasn’t seen me much as I don’t want to accept just about any movie,” he signs off.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; May 20, 2019)

It’s four years since the good-looking Dino Morea has been missing in action on the silver screen. He was last seen in a cameo in the horror film Alone (2015). Now, the Raaz actor is all set to make a comeback with the web series Mentalhood, which also marks his digital debut. The series revolves around parenthood, especially mothers, who are competitive about their children.

Interestingly, Dino will be the only one in the mix as the stay-at-home single parent bringing up two little kids. With his suave and debonair looks, the actor is sure to give the mommies a run for their money. Here, the 43-year-old actor tells us why he had disappeared from the scene and what prompted him to make a comeback.

It’s been quite a while since we saw you on screen. What kept you away?
I took a break. I wasn’t getting anything great to be a part of. But, now the digital space has opened up and given everyone an opportunity to face the camera and do fantastic work. There is some great writing on web. What appealed to me about Mentalhood was the way it’s written —light and interesting. There are six main characters, five mothers besides me. I play a single parent with two children. The writing is so today and funny — about how competitive parents get about their children. Lot of families go through this and any mother or father watching it will relate to the issues. The fact that Ekta Kapoor is producing the series and it will be streamed on Alt Balaji, also appealed to me and I decided to be a part of it. I was dying to be in front of the camera and now I am excited about it.

How challenging was it working with the kids?
I love kids tremendously. When I am with my friends’ children, I become like a father to them and that pretty much comes across in the series. I play a father and mother to five-year-old twins (a boy and a girl). I could put them at ease. Sometimes it is tough to handle them as they get tired and cranky, which gets into the performance. In one of the scenes my daughter had to cry and scream and it was uneasy. At such times, I would tell them stories and make them believe that they are doing something fun. But, you get to learn a lot from the children by just watching their behaviour. It’s amazing.

How did you prep for the role?
Several of my friends are married and have children. I got a lot of information from them and took notes on how they are with their kids, the reactions, how involved they are in the school activities, etc. Sometimes, after reading the script, I would ask my friends, who are single parents, if such a thing really happens and they would say it does exactly like that. You will see me participating in whatever activities other mommies are doing in school!

How was it working with Karisma Kapoor 18 years after Baaz — A Bird In Danger?
She is an absolute professional. We have grown and matured as actors. Karisma has a massive body of work and she is looking lovely in the series. We have a brilliant bunch of actors and we are feeding off each other, which you will see.

What about films, is anything on the anvil?
Obviously, I was looking for good films, but it is only in the last one year that great content is being made in movies also. Whether it’s AndhaDhun, Badhaai Ho or Stree, people are focussing on content right now. The industry has changed tremendously — actors are getting good opportunities and fantastic scripts are being written. It’s a brilliant phase of good cinema. Movies with big stars, which unfortunately do not have great stories aren’t doing well, while films with great content, good writing and small actors are doing Rs 100 crores business. There is a shift in the dynamics of filmmaking. I am in a happy phase. Soon, I will announce my next web series. For some reason there was a misconception that after producing Jism 2, I am not interested in acting. Being a producer doesn’t mean that I have stopped being an actor. But now that people know I am back, I’m getting interesting offers. Everything I have wanted and worked for in the last four years is happening now.

Didn’t you get disheartened at any point? 
As actors, we always get disheartened about not getting the right opportunities. And when you see others doing that work, you feel, why not me? But, I was working on myself and keeping myself prepared, so that if I am told you have to shoot next week I am ready. I have an acting coach with whom I have been doing scenes, working on my speech, diction, action, practicing football and keeping myself fit.

Meghna Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; September 12, 2016)