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Sunny Deol: Still figuring what keeps filmmakers away from me

Updated on: 29 August,2017 08:40 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Shaheen Parkar |

Bollywood actor Sunny speaks to mid-day in an exclusive interview on reinventing himself, dearth of acting offers and why dance rehearsals still scare him...

Sunny Deol: Still figuring what keeps filmmakers away from me

Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol


The reticent Sunny Deol has loosened up, he is no longer the introverted guy he used to be. The actor is now social media savvy, doesn't shy away from speaking his mind or taking on an unorthodox subject like vasectomy in his upcoming film, Poster Boys, for that matter.


"I go by the director's vision. I can sense a good script from the way he narrates it to me," begins Deol about his upcoming comedy, when we catch up with him on a rain-soaked afternoon at his Juhu studio. "Shreyas is making his directorial debut, but, I had no reservations about him calling the shots. Bob (brother Bobby Deol) and I had a blast shooting for the film. You'll see me in a new light. They even made me go on a pouting spree," he laughs.


This is not the first time the actor has attempted to tread a new path. He tried to do it with Mohalla Assi a few years ago, but the film did not see the light of day owing to run-ins with the Censor Board. "We have not given up on it. The sad state of affairs is a reflection of the times we live in."

Shreyas Talpade, Sunny and Bobby Deol in a still from upcoming film Poster Boys
Shreyas Talpade, Sunny and Bobby Deol in a still from upcoming film Poster Boys

Broach the subject of censorship in India and he states that he fails to see why the Censor Board comes down heavily on films. He argues, "Everything is out there on the Internet and TV. There is so much of rabble-rousing on news channels too, these days. But, films get blamed for it."

The battle against the Censor Board would have been much easier, if there was a sense of unity in the industry — something that is glaringly lacking: "If we are united, we can always battle it out together." Deol cites the case of his career-defining film Ghayal (1990), which was given several cuts by the Board. "Initially, we were angry and ready to fight. But then, we kept our egos aside and sat down to have a dialogue. What was eventually edited, did not affect the narrative of the film at all."

Also read: When Sunny Deol was embarrassed to pout for the camera

Over the last few years, the actor has had a handful of big screen outings. Ask him why he does not get too many film offers despite his acting prowess and he reflects, "I'm still trying to figure what keeps filmmakers away from me. Maybe, my image…I am ready to take on all types of roles. There is no apprehension about trying something new." As an afterthought, he quickly adds, "Except when it comes to dance."

Deol's two left feet is legendary in the industry and he has no qualms in admitting that he is "no Hrithik Roshan". With unabashed honesty, he says, "Dance rehearsals scare me, but over time, I have conquered my fears. 90 per cent of us are not dancers, everyone cannot be a Hrithik. We just enjoy the music and let the energy out."

Acutely self-aware, he also points out how his 'dhai kilo ka haath' image will not leave him. "It does not bother me. Anything happens, irrespective of whether it is related to me or not, and my dhai kilo ka haath memes flood social media. At least, I can make people chuckle."

After Poster Boys, the actor will focus solely on Yamla Pagla Deewana 3 — a film that sees the three Deols reuniting. While the trio graces the screen, the youngest generation of the family — Karan — too is gearing up to take the family's lineage ahead with Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas. With three generations in films, one assumes that dinner table conversations revolve around cinema. "Very rarely," says Deol. "We don't talk films at all, except the occasions when we are part of the same project."

Also see: Riya Sen - Controversy's favourite child: MMS scandal to failed affairs
Riya Sen - Controversy

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