Not easy for star kids to get job in Bollywood: Bobby Deol

Seasoned Bollywood actor Bobby Deol recently won the Best Actor award at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival for the MX Player web series ‘Aashram’, directed by the veteran Prakash Jha.

In an interview with Showtime, Bobby, who plays a ‘Baba’ (preacher) in the crime drama, talks to Anand Singh about the success of the series, his tough times in the industry, and on future projects. Excerpts:

For someone vastly experienced in the industry, what does this recognition mean to you?

Honestly, I never thought that I would get nominated. It is the hard work that pays off eventually and you get awarded for that. I also believe that it’s the fans’ appreciation that has made this award happen for me.

What convinced you to do ‘Aashram’?

I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I mean, no one could have imagined me playing a ‘Baba’. The audiences have changed. They like watching a variety of content.

Are OTT platforms posing a stiff challenge to mainstream industry?

I have an analogy for it. I look at it as the IPL and international tournaments. In the IPL, you get to see a lot of talent getting picked for the Indian cricket team. Players who are on the Indian team tend to do well in the IPL. I think it works both ways in case of cinema as well. Also, the population of our country is huge and so, definitely, OTTs are offering a lot more opportunities to actors who are just starting out.

You were missing from action for almost four years until your comeback in 2017. How was the time away from the industry?

I was fighting my own demons. That time made me think how much I can do in life, how much potential I have, how much I can deliver as an actor. I had to stay positive and change the frame of my mind and be persistent. Eventually, that worked, because I believe people liked my work, but I wasn’t getting the right kind of work to do. In the film industry, if you don’t get the right kind of work your market value goes down, and not many people offer you good work if that happens. I am busy now and have been shooting with great filmmakers, playing very interesting characters, and it makes me feel good about myself.

The Hindi film industry is considered a difficult place to survive for outsiders. What’s your take on the nepotism debate?

I fall into the star kids’ category. So obviously, people who are ‘outsiders’ in the industry have a different viewpoint. But you can take my example. If getting work was so easy for an star kids, I wouldn’t have been away for almost four years. I tell this to all the people who are starting out that ‘never give up on your dreams’. India has a huge population and there is always talent waiting in the line and it is always going to be an uphill task. But in the end, it is your work that stands out.