'I still need to fit in'

Abhay Deol, who is busy having “too much fun” in the US, says he will return soon to filmdom. “Picky” about his movies, the actor feels a need to turn more “media-savvy” to “fit in”. When asked whether he has migrated to the US, he said, “No! But I will return soon. I am having too much fun here in the US! I have two confirmed projects back home, a big commercial film and a small offbeat radical one. I may have found the perfect balance.”

His last Bollywood outing ‘One By Two’ proved to be damaging on many counts. In hindsight, does he think it was premature for him to turn producer? “No. I learnt a lot in my outing as a producer and it has opened many new doors for me. In life, you only learn by taking chances.”

Despite many thoughtful performances, why does one see so little of him on screen? “It’s a media-driven world and I need to be more media-savvy. I am also very picky with my films. It is 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 or maybe that is not. I believe that if a filmmaker wants to work with you and use you for what you have, he or she will do it. That’s how both ‘Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!’ and ‘Dev D’ happened,” he said. “The most satisfying of these 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.”

What are his pursuits other than acting at the moment? “I am in a very good mind space. Ups and downs come and go, the important thing is to live them fully and understand them. The more experiences you have, the more you understand as long as you remain open,” he answered.

 “Right now, most of my focus is on the acting and producing front. All my energies are focussed on making the next film that will break the mould. I have no plans to turn director, I am not in that mind space at all, so I wouldn’t go there until I feel sure that I am ready.”