Abhay Deol is a busy man these days. 2017 was a good year for the actor with Happy Bhaag Jayegi becoming a box office hit. Now, 2018 looks to be better with seven films lined up.
“I have Nanu ki Jaanu, being directed by Faraz Haider, up for release opposite Patralekha. It’s a horror comedy,” the actor, who is almost living out of a suitcase these days, said.
Next he has The Field produced and directed by Rohit Karn Batra. “I also have a south Indian film, Idhu Vedhalam Sollum Kadhai in Tamil, directed by Rathindran R. Prasad. I play a king and it’s a fun film and a fantasy. Then I have two children’s stories which we will be developing soon. There’s Bounty Hunter co-produced by me. In June I am starting another film. I have liked two scripts and we will soon start working on them. I have a packed year and am busy flitting from one location to another,” he said.
Abhay also has a cameo appearance coming up in Shah Rukh Khan’s December release Zero with Katrina Kaif, who he worked with on Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011).
This is the first time in six years that he will be seen with Katrina. “It’s a very brief role and I won’t be sharing any screen space with Shah Rukh Khan in the film. I met Katrina on the sets but it was nothing like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara where we shot for a long time and were friends,” he said, quickly adding that he would love to work with Katrina again someday.
“Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and I are ready for the sequel of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. I hope someone tells Zoya (Akhtar) to write the script soon. From our side we are ready for sure,” he added.
LOVE & FAMILY
Asked about being part of the Deol franchise Yamla Pagla Deewana, Abhay said: “I would love to work with the Deols but you know how picky I am about my scripts.
“When it comes to working with my family, I will go through the scripts even more diligently. It gets difficult to act with them especially my taayaji (Dharmendra). I don’t even know if I have the courage to perform in front of him.’’
Dharmendra and sons Sunny and Bobby are right now working on the third film in the YPD franchise — Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se.
Another ticklish question Abhay fielded was if he had a real life “jaanu”. First he refused to answer but later said it is difficult to find love. “It depends from person to person and what you are looking for — if you have a lot of demands it is going to be difficult; if you are simple then it may be easy. Personally, I have a lot of demands,” he said.
Is he as choosy about women as he is about scripts? “Ladkiyon ke maamle nahin hoon,” he laughed.
Shama Bhagat and
Bharati K. Dubey
