'People still call me Pappiji'Ask him his name and he charmingly replies, lekar

Ask him his name and he charmingly replies, lekar baatayein ya dekar batayein. Obviously, going by the name ‘Pappiji’ such an answer is expected. But that was in a film! Actor Deepak Dobriyal never thought that this one character in Anand L Rai’s Tanu Weds Manu will give him the popularity he was hunting for all these years. After his critically acclaimed performance as Rajju in Omkara, Deepak did films like 1971, Delhi 6, Gulaal, Shaurya and many more but the jackpot was Tanu Weds Manu.

 
“People still call me Pappiji.  It was surprising when the audience at Chandan Cinema gave a standing ovation to me after they saw the film,” says Deepak. With that, his desire to make a place in Bollywood was not only fulfilled, the task to impress his father was also accomplished. “Everyone in the family respected my decision to take up acting professionally except my father.  It was difficult to explain to him. But my steady growth and recognition has calmed him. He understands that I haven’t taken a wrong decision,” shares Deepak.

It was his unconventional looks that made his father a little sceptical but Deepak believed otherwise. “As an actor you attain beauty when you get completely involved in it. What’s the point if I have good looks and cannot act well? Beauty comes from within.”

This is the right time for actors with unconventional looks to make their mark, he feels. “Actors like Ranbir Kapoor want challenging roles like the ones Nawazuddin (Siddiqui) and Irrfan bhai are doing. But at the same time it is giving others an opportunity to showcase their talent. Looks are no more a priority,” says Deepak confidently and with certainty that in the next five years the face of the industry will change. 

This positive attitude paid off well with Omkara, which opened the door of opportunities. “After Omkara, I was offered more than 150 films - all with negative roles. I wanted to play a long innings so I did not opt for too many films but focused on experimenting with characters. My target was not to repeat roles which I have done,” shares Deepak.

This way he gets to explore his versatility. It also gives him a chance to play a lead in K Rajesh’s Chor Chor Super Chor. “ I am doing a positive role in the film. It is different from what I have done so far and I am hopeful people will accept me once more.” We also wish the same!