Abhay Deol gets candid about relationships and losing his father; says he won't take off for another break till he's completed at least three more films
Last year, on October 24, Abhay's father , Ajit Singh Deol, passed away in a Mumbai hospital and the actor admits that those two months were rough. He'd spoken to producer Aanand L Rai and got the shoot of Happy Bhag Jayegi delayed so he could spend time with his ailing father. After he was gone, Abhay admits get ting back to work was a blessing.
"He would have wanted me to give my best to the film. I took his ashes to scatter at a gurd wara at Anandpur Sahib on my way to Chandigarh before the shoot. It felt like I was starting all over again," he says.
The loss of a parent is always a life-changing experience. Does he feel more responsible now or rootless? Is there the satisfaction that he could spend time with his father or guilt, wondering if there was anything more he could have done? Abhay reasons that everyone reacts in his or her own way to the loss of a dear one; the relationship and circumstances around it also have a direct effect.
"My parents taught me to be responsible and I wouldn't want to lose what they instilled in me, that would be another loss. I'm grateful that I was with him through his time in the hospi tal. There was nothing more we could have done. His illness brought the family together and I try and focus on that," he says, simply and emotion ally.
Happy Bhag Jayegi is about borders and crossovers, distances and differences that love bridges. "I loved the script, it's funny without being slapstick, insight ful without being preachy, and even though it crosses the Indo-Pak border, it isn't a political drama or an action-thriller.
There is a freshness to it in mainstream films," he asserts, adding that the chance to work with Rai and Krushika Lulla again after Raanjhanaa made it even more attractive.
After Raanjhaana Rai has often said that he was waiting to cast Abhay in a "full-fledged" role.Abhay laughs, saying while Rai's happy with his role, he keeps telling him that he can and should do more work. "Aanand is never satisfied. He wants me to do a dramatic feature and believes that I work best in character-driven plots. I'm hoping he casts me in one soon as I prefer drama over comedy myself," he grins.
Getting a little personal, can he see himself falling in love with a German, Brazilian or a Pakistani girl, and what's the craziest thing he's done in love? "Love has no nationality for me. I have a preference for dark skin but that's just superficial. The craziest thing I've done for love? Put my life on hold," he says, not giving details.
Is there any family pressure to tie the knot? "At the moment my love is my work and I've noticed I cannot necessarily handle both at the same time!" he says shortly.
Since the film is a cross-border romcom, does he think there's a way political differences between India and Pakistan can be bridged? "Unfortunately I've not visited Pakistan yet but I believe that differences will be bridged only when we desire it collectively... When we don't react to violence with violence... When we address the issues facing the people most affected by the dispute...When we have compassion for everyone... When we accept our mistakes even if our adversary does not... When we look upon the other just like we look upon ourselves," he asserts, adding that there are many ways to settle a dispute, but given the current global political climate, it looks like people of most faiths and nationalities are up in arms to defend their country even if they have to destroy the planet in the process. "Counter intuitive to say the least!" he sighs.
And like Diana Penty's Happy has he ever run away from home or school? "As a kid I wanted to run away from home every time I got a scolding for being naughty but I never did. Knowing now what happens to unprotected kids on the streets I'm glad I didn't," he says soberly.
As an adult, he often runs away from the film industry to the US to do something different. What was it this time? Abhay informs that he spent most of his `break' in California where his sisters and friends live. "I did a few acting workshops. It was an amazing experience. Los Angeles is much like Mumbai, the film industry rules the city over most other professions, so it feels like home. A year went by doing this," he shrugs. And when's the next getaway? He chuckles, "I want to finish at least three more films before I take off again."
He must be sitting on a pile of scripts by now. Any plans for another production? A directorial debut, maybe? "Whoa, intimidating questions because I don't have clear answers for them! I have a small pile of scripts, yes, there is one I love and hope the producer will announce it soon but I don't think shooting will begin until the start of next year.Yes, I will produce a film again, I'm just waiting to finish a couple of acting jobs first and looking for the right script. I still don't plan to direct but I'm more open to the idea now than before," he avers.
There are murmurs about his debut production, One By Two, leaving him in the red. Abhay points out that was bound to happen after the film didn't do well and certain publications wrote blatant lies about him being broke."Hits and misses are part of the job, as are uncreative, headline-hungry journalists. I am not in the red because of one film," he thunders.
There was also talk of him losing his temper while promoting his recent release on Kapil Sharma's show. "Once again lies spread by the same publication.They have a talent for it! The show was a fun experience and I'm glad I got to do it and meet Kapil," he retorts.
A recent picture of Fawad Khan, Farhan Akhtar and him went viral on the social media.Any plans of a coming-of-age flick with these boys? "Why not! I should tell Farhan to write one with us in mind. I wouldn't tell Zoya (Akhtar) and Reema (Kagti) to write it as I would rather they spend that time coming up with a plot for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Part 2," he signs off with a flash of dimples.
