I still need to fit in

Abhay Deol, who is busy having “too much fun” in the US, says he’ll return soon to filmdom. “Picky” about his movies, the actor feels a need to turn more “media savvy” to “fit in”.In an interview, Abhay speaks about what he’s been upto, his career, future plans and love life.

Excerpts

It’s been a while since we saw you on screen. Where are you? Have you migrated to the US?

Haha, no. I haven’t migrated to the US!

When do you return to India and to which projects?

I will return soon. I’m having too much fun here in the US! I have two confirmed projects back at home, a big commercial film and a small off beat radical one. I may have found the perfect balance.

Your last Bollywood outing ‘One By Two’ proved to be damaging on many counts. In hindsight do you think it was premature for you to turn producer?

A. Nope, I learnt a lot in my outing as a producer and it has opened many new doors for me. In life you only learn from taking chances.

In spite of thoughtful performances in recent films like ‘Shanghai’ and ‘Chakravyuh’, why do we see so little of you on screen? After so many years in Hindi cinema, where do you see yourself fitting in?

It’s a media driven world and I guess I need to be more media savvy. I’m also very picky about films. It’s hard to find the right fit. After so many years, I still need to fit in! I’ve heard many people say that to me. Maybe that is true, maybe or maybe that is not, I believe that if a filmmaker wants to work with you and use you for what you have, then he or she will do it. That’s how both ‘Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!’ and ‘Dev D’ happened.

Out of curiosity, which films so far have been the most satisfying and which the most unfulfilling for you?

Most satisfying would be ‘Dev D’, ‘Shanghai’ and ‘Manorama Six Feet Under’. They were heavily driven by the characters. Least satisfying would be the ones where I didn’t have much to do. I leave that to you to decide which ones.

To turn to your private space a bit, when do we see you and the lovely Preeti Desai tie the knot? How would you define your relationship with her?

A. Haha I’m often asked this question! Not anytime soon. I don’t define relationships that can’t be. It’s everything and nothing at the same time. The kind that makes you learn how to live and how to be.

I learnt a lot in my outing as a producer and it has opened many new doors for me. In life you only learn from taking chances

- Abhay Deol