He’s one actor who will always be very special to me. He was a part of the very first project in my career and he made working with him such a pleasant experience. That’s not all, whenever star struck relatives would visit Mumbai and ask me for photographs with a star, Bobby who was a huge star then, would always open the gates of his home for me and meet them and treat them so special. The amount of respect I got from my relatives because of that is unimaginable!! I became a star of sorts in their eyes!
Over the years I got to work with and have interviewed so many stars but the Deols are one of the nicest people I have come across in this industry, they are honest, warm, kind and all heart! I was meeting Bobby almost after 17 years for this interview and it was such a pleasure to see that he hasn’t changed a bit, he greeted me as usual with a warm hug and we caught up from right where we had left. The only thing he found amusing is me sitting across the table and asking him questions! He kept telling me; “I can’t believe you’re a journalist now and asking me all that, you already know me well.”
But he did answer all my questions, in fact, he opened up his heart and spoke about not just his forthcoming film Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se but all that he went through and felt when he was at his lowest. We bring you an honest heart to heart conversation with Bobby Deol
EXCERPTS
Tell us a little about Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se
“Somewhere we all are Yamlas, we all are paglas and we all are deewanas. My dad plays our tenant in the film, he’s living in our house for 30 years and has only been paying 30 rupees. Salman did a song in our film. He’s a sweetheart, he’s the one who got Sonakshi, Shatruji, Rekhaji into this song. It was his idea and he’s made the song a nice remix. I have seen Rekhaji as a kid when she used to pull my cheeks and it was nice working with them.”
Bobby’s father Dharamji walks by in between our interview and Bobby pulls his leg; “Cap nahi pehna aapne aaj papa?” ( U didn’t wear a cap today papa?) to which Dharamji replies in style, “Aaj mere baal bahut acche lag rahe hai issliye!” ( My hairstyle looks very good today that’s why!)And Bobby laughs out loud. Like a proud son, Bobby tells us, “His comedy timing is great and sometimes you just can’t stop laughing. He’s done so much work and he’s brilliant with comedy. it’s fun working with my dad.”
What’s your relation with your brother Sunny like?
“My brother was always like a father to me. I just love him and respect him a lot. For him, it’s like having three sons, his two sons and me. He has done so much for me no brother does so much. He is a very giving person.”
Image Credit: Movie – Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se
How is it different when you’re working with your family for a film?
“You know when someone’s mood is off. You know what your brother is thinking or your dad is thinking. You know he’s going to react in a certain way etc. While when you are working with others it’s not the same, as a family we know each other inside out.”
What were some of the things you learnt when you took a break from acting?
“I realised that I had to do well and work hard. Race 3 was such a big film, it was a big opportunity, it was Salman’s film after all and millions and millions of people watch it. If I had done wrong and not worked well in that film, then people would have again been disappointed with me.”
Image Credit: Movie – Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se
How have you and Salman bonded post Race 3?
“Salman gave me that opportunity but he always says that he needed me for that film. I say but you gave it to me. But he says ‘I needed you for that film so I gave it to you.’ Even then he does not take the credit, that’s the way Salman is. Salman is always concerned, he’s always concerned about whether the trainer is training me properly etc. He’s always wanting to do things for me.”
How have things changed for you after Race 3?
“There is a lot of positive energy everywhere post Race 3. Everywhere I go, everyone I meet there is a certain kind of happiness for me in their faces. Everybody’s happy and that shows the appreciation for me. I want to work harder so that these faces remain the same. I feel very energetic, positive and don’t feel sad like I used to. I appreciate every single day of my life. I just hope I choose and make the right decisions.”
Image Credit: TV Series – Dus Ka Dum
What are the things you went through in those years when you were at your lowest?
“I didn’t know how to communicate, I didn’t have anyone to manage my work. In fact, I remember years back I had asked a management company to manage my work and they refused. They said they are sorry, we can’t do anything for you and he was a friend; I knew that person. But those are the very things that make you stronger.”
Bobby, I’ve known you for years now and I know the Deols are the nicest people in the industry, you’ve had so many hits, you’re talented too. But do you think that’s not enough to exist in this industry?
“I just believe you’ve got to be honest and straight about what you do and believe. Work hard and focus and you will achieve what you need to. I cannot be cunning or manipulative and I cannot change myself. I can’t do that. I probably also don’t know how to market myself too, that is also a talent! “
Image Credit: Movie – Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se
You’ve done such wonderful films that were huge hits like; Gupt, Bichu, Soldier, Humraaz but what do you think went wrong?
“I made the wrong choice of films those days, so things just started taking the wrong turn. One really does not know why that happens. Then when things start going the wrong way and you are not tough enough then you start losing the grip and that’s what happened to me. I also felt disheartened and didn’t take care of myself. People thought I lost interesting in acting but that was not true, I was just a bit ignorant about how I am supposed to be professional. I was not a professional.”
You never liked going to offices to seek work. How has that changed?
“When I started out there was a different practice, there was less competition so people came to you offering you work, there was no trend of going to people’s offices, but then more talent started coming into the industry, the competition grew and these people would go to the offices in order to get work and take what was coming etc.That’s where I didn’t get into it because I had never done it and I was lazy. I never knew that’s the way to operate. But now since the last 3 years, I have realised that’s the way to get work, one has to grab work so I have no egos about it. For example, I had gone to Sajid Nadiadwala and told him I really want to work with him. He was very honest and he told me that he would think about it. That he always wanted to work with me but things didn’t work out. I told him I was ready to do any role, didn’t have to be the main lead, I was honest with him too. Finally, I got the film and now see I am doing Housefull 3.”
What are the kind of roles you look forward to doing?
“I want to do good character stories, characters that have a substance to it. Main leads will come to me once my box office record becomes better.”
Image Credit: Movie – Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se
What is that one advice your father has given you and you would like to share with others?
“For me, my father is my superhero, he’s my superman. He makes you laugh just anytime. He speaks so well and has such a command over poetry. One advice my father gave me is to always be a good human being, that’s even more important than success. That is the most difficult thing to achieve. I don’t think I am a good human being but I am working my way towards that. When people appreciate you as a person, that gives you more happiness than anything else. The most infectious disease is ego is what he also told me. Also, I don’t look at the negativity in anything. I see the positive side of everything that is negative, every negative thing has something positive about it. One just needs to believe in oneself.”
Believe in yourself, you have. And we believe in you too Bobby! There are more good things to come. Here’s wishing you more good films to come and All The Very Best for Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se.
