In times when actors eat miniscule portions of bland-looking food, it was refreshing to see Abhay Deol merrily gorging on chocolate crème, spooning it right out of a jar,wiping it clean so as to not waste even a single scoop. He is immensely likeable, a dimpled boy-next-door, who can engage you in stimulating conversations, whilst offering a bite of his dessert. But then, he is notorious for his rebellious streak. He says he isn't trying to be a rebel but if doing things his way earns him that label, he is comfortable with it. After all, there is no harm in a few calories (that stars glower upon), acting in a few off-beat films (like Dev D), being a part of an ensemble at the peak of his career (like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara) or settling for a cameo (in Raanjhanaa). He is happy with the industry and its ways as long as he gets to do the films of his choice. On a rainy evening, Abhay spoke to Bombay Times about escaping after the failure of his last movie, why he doesn't need to open up his dating diary to the world and what makes his upcoming cross-border comedy Happy Bhag Jayegi (HBJ) so different.

You've spent 11 years in the industry, but the tag of being a rebel hasn't left you. Have you finally made peace with it?
Isn't that the impression everyone has about me? But the truth is I don't kid myself. I am aware of my strengths. I have a strong belief system and I'm not the kind who finds it easy to change it. I'm only pursuing what I believe in. During my 10-year tenure in the industry, I was always sure that the audience will make space for someone like me.

When you are younger, you are more idealistic. But, I pushed for what I wanted. I wouldn't take no for an answer. I was termed 'choosy' because when an actor decides to go against the wind and takes on only non-formula films, he is not left with much choice. There is only one offbeat movie for every 10 formulaic ones made. I was labelled as being choosy and rebellious because of my convictions. I never set out to be that. If it was up to me, every time I finish one project, I will begin the next. If I didn't scream about creating a parallel support system for non-formula films, I would've happily gone along with the mainstream movement.

We haven't seen you in movies after One By Two (2014). Were you on a break?
I was travelling. Scripts were the last thing on mind. I have family in America and I lived with them for a while. Every few years, I feel the need to disassociate myself from what I do. It really helps the actor within me. All artistes take reference from their own life and experiences to understand things from a fresh perspective and put that learning into their work. When you do films after films, you don't let life happen. At least in my case, I end up relying too much on emotions, which aren't raw enough. Travel helps me renew my approach towards things. I'm glad I'm the kind of person who can take off from work like this ­ by not acting, not reading scripts and cutting off clean. If I were in the rat race, aiming for stardom, I wouldn't have been able to afford this. I would be expected to churn out hits constantly. Well, the only risk is the fear of being left behind, but if you aren't running for anything, that fear ceases to exist.

How did you cope with the failure of your last relationship?
We all change on a daily basis. When something cataclysmic happens, you change more drastically than you expect. When I went to the US after the failure of my last film, on some level, it was an escape. People deal with situations differently, I chose to deal with it my way by travelling, healing, rejuvenating and then repeating it all over again.

Will your last break-up make you cautious in the future?
The desire to protect your relationship when you are open to public scrutiny is natural. There are too many speculations. In such a scenario, it gets more difficult to let go (for both you and your partner). Dating issues for normal couples are a lot more generic. In our world, it is harder to hold on to relationships. I usually avoid speaking about my personal life but in the case of my last relationship (with Preeti Desai), it was difficult to keep it under wraps. She, too, was an actor. We were doing a film together. If I could, I would've happily lied and said I am single. I don't feel the need to tell the truth. If I were dating someone who is completely averse to the limelight, I would've gone a step ahead and protected her. Though in all likelihood, I would've never met someone like that; they would've run away long before hitting the relationship stage (laughs). But being questioned about my personal life is not something alien to me. Even as a kid, classmates asked pointed personal questions about my family. I have conditioned myself to handle it with maturity. A lot was written about my break-up, a lot of it was bitter but I don't get affected by it. In an environment where people believe any publicity is good publicity, you realise there is no point getting affected by things as long as it doesn't come between you and your relationship or work.

What are the perks of being an industry kid?
Fame doesn't enamour me. Being written about is not what I yearn for. Fame is a side-effect of what I do, not my goal. I aspire to make path-breaking movies. I understand it from the other perspective. It is okay if people write about you, in fact, sometimes it is a good thing (laughs). People say it is easy to get work when you have industry connections. Well, that may or may not be true. But it is certainly an advantage to know that people can love you one day and hate you the next day. Don't get taken in by the highs of this job.

Do people still expect you to do an out-and-out actioner and prove worthy of the Deol name?
I have fought those battles. When I started off, people asked me 'why are you doing a romantic movie? You should be in an action film'. I had to write my own roles, go seek parts I wanted to do. Dev D was a game changer. Anurag (Kashyap) told me while we were filming that he would've never thought of me for that role had the idea not come from me. But I believe everything in life balances itself out. I count myself successful because filmmakers like the fact that I take chances. I wanted to go against the norm and that's come through. That's success for me. If winning the rat race is the measure of success, then I'm a failure. Success has a lot to do with what one values. Rich people aren't necessarily happy.

You play a Pakistani boy in HBJ. Could you relate easily to a man from across the border?
He is an urban boy, born in Lahore, educated abroad. He is refined, soft-spoken and suave. I, daresay, he is submissive because his father is a dominating figure in his life. He is a likable, solid, supportive man. Once Happy comes into his life, everything turns upside down.

Do you fear the film's intention could be misconstrued?
It all depends on the approach, story and motives. HBJ just intends to entertain. I don't know any other movie that uses India and Pakistan as a backdrop and is not a political drama. It is a feel-good film which is unlikely to offend anyone. I play a Pakistani, who is a good guy. If someone really wants to take offence, it is hard to persuade them otherwise. If you look deep into issues like love jihad, the crux of the problem is baseless. If two people really love each other, there should be no issue. I will be appalled if anyone has a problem with HBJ, unless they are functioning with an agenda and are motivated by other factors.

After Aisha, you had made a comment about the film which didn't go down too well with your co-star Sonam Kapoor. Do you feel the need to be more diplomatic?
Being diplomatic doesn't mean you are not speaking your mind. As you grow older, you hope to be wiser. Intelligence and wisdom are, nevertheless, very different things. Diplomacy has its own merits. I always speak my mind. I don't regret past mistakes. Had I not gone down that road, I wouldn't have become who I am today. And if someday I need to speak my heart, I will do it all over again.

He's been in the US for quite a few weeks now and back home rumour mills are buzzing over time that Abhay Deol has quit Bollywood and moved to Los Angeles for good. When Mirror caught up with the actor across the Atlantic he laughed off the speculation saying, “No, I haven't quit Bollywood. If you know me well enough, you know that I don't quit anything that easily. I should be back after a month or two. I'm reading scripts but have not signed any new film yet. Gossip mills never come to a rest as long as cheap stories continue making big bucks. But let me assure everyone that I'm in a happy state of mind and at my creative best. I have so much to give, so many ideas and characters to create.“

Abhay has been travelling and meeting artistes from around the world. The days go by with strolls on the beach, workouts at the gym, interacting with friends and professionals from the industry, reading scripts and working on a new film he'd like to produce. Even though his debut production, One By Two, didn't work commercially, he wants to continue making films. “I am planning to produce more films,“ he asserts. “At the moment there is one script we are working on, let's hope all goes well, and I will be able to announce the project soon.“

And what is happening with the first Indo-Chinese production which will co-star Jackie Chan and Amitabh Bachchan? Abhay suddenly clams up and says shortly, “I am not at liberty to discuss anything yet.“ One has always felt that with his looks and talent, he is perfectly suited for world cinema. Any offers? Abhay admits that people often ask him why he doesn't try to make it abroad. “I would love to explore world cinema and I have friends in the industry too. But I have put in so many years and so much energy into the Mumbai film industry that moving to another city is intimidating. Nor am I ruling out the possibility, neither am I giving up on Hindi cinema. Someone's got to fight the formula, right?“ he quips.

Is he in touch with his family back home, the other Deols? “Of course I am!“ he exclaims. And is it true that he has tied the knot with girlfriend, Preeti Desai, who is also in LA? “That rumour has been doing the rounds for a couple of years now,“ Abhay says nonchalantly. “Oh well, what to do? Comes with the territory, I guess.“

The last time he took a break of several months in the US he learnt sculpting. Is he pursuing any new hobbies this time? “Yes, I am exploring some courses here but I have not started anything yet. My sisters live here so I visit them often, I love driving and this place is perfect for long inter-city or inter-state drives,“ he says dreamily.

He recently sold his Juhu apartment, reportedly to settle loans incurred for his maiden production. Is he now planning to buy a new pad in Mumbai, London, Paris or LA. “I didn't sell anything, that story was false. And there are no plans to buy any new property. I will tell you when I do,“ he retorts.

He says that today he is finally comfortable in his own skin and in a happy space. “l'm inspired by the silliest of things. I laugh a lot more and feel grown-up when reflecting on the past. I've learnt to for give others and myself,“ he signs off.