Abhay Deol, whose new film Manorama Six Feet Under opens next week, is another one of the famed Deol clan working in Bollywood. However having Dharmendra as an uncle and Sunny and Bobby as cousins has not made it easy for the actor to become a star in his own right.
He says, “When I joined the film industry there was a lot of curiosity among people because I am a Deol. It was difficult to find an individual identity. Connection with a star family sparks the expectation of people both inside and outside the industry.”
Going on, “I am not as dashing and dynamic like my uncle and cousins. And it wasn’t easy for me to find a foothold. After my first release, I got a lot of negative feedback. Industry people criticized me saying that romantic and comedy films won’t work for me and outside people alleged I had made it easily to Bollywood,” he said.
Adding however, “People might make a film just to launch you but at the end of the day your performance is what makes a difference.”
In Manorama Six Feet Under, Abhay plays an amateur detective in a small town. The film also stars Gul Panag and Raima Sen.
“I play a serious role in the film. I hope after this film my image of a romantic hero changes. I do not want to be typecast. I know I am new to the industry but people are acknowledging my work and I want to push the envelope further. I want to do different roles to an extent that experimentation becomes the expectation of people from me,” he said.
His first movie was the adorable Socha Na Tha starring opposite Ayesha Takia and he has also been seen in Ahista Ahista, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd, and Ek Chalis Ki Last Local.
Coming up this young actor has roles in Junction, Dev D and Oye Lucky Lucky Oye.
