When you accepted a role like Abrar, what was the USP of that character that you decided you had to do it?
The USP was Sandeep Reddy Vanga, because he’s a magician of a director. He creates characters that are so interesting and so deep and so complex. I knew that what I would be offered would be something interesting. And I was just excited when he told me that this is the character and then he was explaining it to me when he said he’s mute. So, I got more excited because my approach towards work is to find work that is out of my comfort zone.I like to challenge myself.
I started with Class of 83, then Ashram, and Love Hostel. So, when I was offered this, I was so excited. I was like, wow, Sandeep Reddy Vanga wants me. And from the time I said yes till the time I finished shooting, I always had a gut feeling about this film. I didn’t know how much Box Office business it would do but I always knew that this will become a cult film.
Is it true that the director saw one of your old photographs and then approached you?
I got his message. I checked whether it was really him and it was indeed him. So, I called him and said, “Let’s meet.” When we met, he said, “Bobby sir, I want you for this film because I have this picture of you. I will show you. And I like his expression. I want you because I love this expression of yours.” I said, “Mere bekaari ke din kaam aa gaye.” That’s how it is. Someone told me recently that it’s like all your hard work is like a bank deposit and it’s like a fixed deposit. And one day suddenly you find a number to open it.”
What did your mother say about the film and your performance?
Mummy stepped out and was crying. She said, “Aise role mat kiya kar. I don’t like it when you die.” I told her, “I’m standing in front of you. I am playing a character. Nothing has happened to me.” But I can understand a mother’s emotions because recently when I watched Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, I couldn’t handle myself. I just got up and I left.
You are a soft-hearted guy. But when you play characters like Abrar, what is your process?
All of us have the good and the evil within us. We become good human beings when we control our demons. It’s like we have so many bacteria and viruses that exist in us, but they don’t do anything to us. But we can use that thought, that emotion, when we have to act like that character. So when I was playing Abrar’s character, I felt that I was also a hero. Because when he’s a child, he sees his grandfather burn himself in front of his eyes and he loses his voice and he swears revenge. And he’s a very family-oriented person. He’s romantic, he has three wives, but he loves his family. He gives his life for his family, and take a life for his family. And that’s how I looked as a character. When I was emoting, I was just feeling like a normal person. But because I’ve been put in a space where it looks like, okay, he’s an evil person, then it makes it look more evil. When a person is wrong, he doesn’t understand that he’s wrong. He thinks that he is doing the right thing. That’s how I felt. I meant to be portrayed.
Did you think Animal would become a game changer?
I think now stories are more character-based. Even the hero has grey and white. Nothing is black and white anymore. Everything is very grey. The shades are very grey because the world is becoming like that around us. That’s how the films. Films are a reflection of what’s happening in the society in many ways, because it’s not. How can you write a story? Imagine a story like that?
Do you think Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s cinema is provocative and challenges the audience?
I don’t know his process of what he thinks when he’s making us perform, but I know one thing, he’s got a very strong conviction. Whatever he does, he does with lots of conviction. And that’s why people tend to enjoy it. That’s how it is.
If you had to recall one strong reaction you got after the film?
I don’t think I’ve heard even one single bad review. Everyone has said, ‘We are so happy for you. We love you. God bless you’. All these kind of things. I got so many calls from the people in film industry that I had never even imagined the industry people would be happy for me.
The Deols are back…
I was so happy when my brother’s film became a hit. It was the biggest thing that happened in our family after 22 years. And there was so much joy and happiness. And my brother always says, because I’ve got a daughter in my house and she’s brother’s luck. And I just think that it’s just amazing because when you work so hard, the joy of achieving something when you get it is so tremendous. And I never imagined that my film would become a blockbuster, but it became a blockbuster. And I think God has been kind and hard work always turns into luck. That’s what I believe.
What was going on in your mind when you were going through the low phase? Were you yearning for a comeback?
Those days were dark in my life. I was going through self-pity. I started thinking, I’m so capable, why doesn’t anyone give me work? I kind of gave up. And then suddenly one day I realized, seeing my kids, wondering why their father is sitting at home and the mother goes to work. And I heard them ask my wife that. And that just kind of made me realize what kind of a father am I. What example am I setting for my son? I can’t make them feel that in this world you’re a loser. And just something sparked it just switched on in my head and I just became more positive about myself and started believing in myself more. And that’s how I said to myself that I have to be prepared. And things changed and I just believe now you have to have self-belief.
How many offers are you getting to play the antagonist in the film?
Maybe it was written in my destiny that I’ll play antagonists and people will recognize my work. I guess that’s when they felt that ‘oh, Bobby is capable of portraying different characters’ and I was always capable. It’s just that I never got opportunities like that but things are changing now.
So, when Prakash Jha came with Ashram, did you agree right away or you took time?
When I met Prakash Jha, I was expecting that he would narrate to me the role of a police officer. But then he said, “Tu Baba ka role play karega.” I was so happy to hear that. For a few seconds, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and worked hard on it.
I will always be grateful to Prakash Ji because he really believed in me and gave me that character in Ashram. It changed the way people looked at me as an actor. Ashram is the most-watched OTT series ever. Wherever I go, people ask me when is the next season of Ashram coming up. But the magic of cinema is different. It’s altogether a different feeling when people acknowledge your work in cinema. I was waiting for it for many years. Jab time aata hai tab aata hai.
Shed light on the hand-to-hand combat scene with Ranbir Kapoor
The first thing Sandeep told me was that these two are brothers who want to kill each other. And that there will be a hand-to-hand fight and there will be a romantic track playing while the fight will be going on. He had conceived everything in advance. We rehearsed one week before the shoot in Mumbai. Then we went to London and shot the fight there. It was so cold and we were bare bodies, but it was fun shooting it.
I love Ranbir as an actor and as a person also I got to know him. He’s such a down-to-earth and humble guy. He always made me feel gave me the importance and made me feel special. He’s got no insecurities. He’s just a lovely guy. I had fun working with him.
How would you describe Sandeep Reddy Vanga in one word?
He’s a magician.
What are the plans of the next generation of Deols?
My elder son has completed his studies in finance. He passed with Honours. He wants to become an actor. We have started his training. Let’s see in the next 3-4 years what happens.
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