Abhay Deol wants to "play safe" with first home production

"Romance, comedy and action are safe genres. People in general tend to go for them. The idea is to survive in the market and entertain. As long as you keep the integrity intact, the difference lies the way you do it," Abhay told reporters on the sidelines of 11th Osian's film festival. The actor, who carved a niche for himself with off-beat hits like 'Dev D' and 'Oye Lucky Oye', also insists that he has always been commercial in his choice of films and would continue to do so as he turns producer.

"I have always been commercial. In all the films I have done so far, the idea has been to translate into commercial success." "So when I say that I am going commercial with 'Basra' it doesn't mean that I am a turning over new leaf or going the Bollywood way. I am not going to make something like Om Shanti Om 2," he added. Apart from producing the action-thriller, the 33-year-old actor will be seen playing the lead with Chitrangada Singh in 'Basra', which is being directed by Navdeep Singh of 'Manorama Six Feet Under' fame.

The actor, who has earned the tag of 'Different Deol' by staying away from usual Bollywood fare, does not want his films to be labelled as niche as they will only attract a select audience. "I will continue doing the things my way but the point is that what I do now should be seen as a commercial stuff because as soon you tag it as niche you need to attract the niche. I want to reach the masses and want everybody to appreciate my films," he said.

Abhay tasted his first box-office success with hits like 'Dev D' and 'Oye Lucky Lucky Oye'. But the actor suddenly decided to take the added responsibility of turning into a producer. "My experience has been that some well-made films are badly released therefore they drown at the box office. Manorma Six Feet Under is a classic example of sadly marketed badly released film. "When such films don't do well, I as an actor take a beating. So I decided that I would not give in when I know my product is good. I want to be protective of the films I do and being a producer gives you that control," he added.

Coming from a family where stars like Dharmendra and Sunny have established themselves as action heroes, was the actor apprehensive to dabble with the genre and feared any comparisons with other Deols? "The comparison is done and over with. It was there at the starting of my career but I don't think it exists now. People understand what I do and I believe in concentrating on my work," Abhay said. The actor will next be seen in 'Aisha', a modern adaption of Jane Austen's 'Emma' where he is playing the romantic lead opposite Sonam Kapoor.