Much like the title of his sophomore outing, actor Abhay Deol appears to take things slowly. It's been a year and a half since his debut film Socha Na Tha and now, on August 18, his second film hits the marquee. Directed by Shivam Nair, Ahista Ahista, co-starring Soha Ali Khan and Shayan Munshi, seems to fit in the same genre as his first film, a young love story.
The latest of the Deol family to enter films (Bobby and Sunny are his cousins), Abhay has just moved back into this newly renovated apartment, and is looking forward to a spate of releases in the coming months.
You've taken your time with your second film. In the meanwhile your co-star of Socha Na Tha, Ayesha Takia, has made quite a mark in the industry. Why this delay?
I didn't plan it this way. I wasn't exactly flooded with offers after Socha Na Tha and chose from what did come my way. The film was written off on paper and none of the big banners approached me. It was an insecure phase and I was only interacting with those who were interested in me. 1:40 Ki Last Local came first and I was also keen on Ahista Ahista because of director Shivam and Imtiaz Ali (director of Socha Na Tha) who has written it. Work happened to start on these films four-five months after my first release. But now Ahista Ahista is releasing, 1:40.. is done and I have also finished work on Honeymoon Travels and Meridian – that's four films in 18 months.
Has your surname and lineage not helped you?
I am fortunate that people of repute are approaching me now. But filmmaking is a business so it getting work doesn't really depend on who you are related to.
I have not got any of my current films because of family pressure. The only makers who know my family are Excel that is making Honeymoon… But my family did launch me which was a big advantage for me and now it's up to me to sustain myself. They've always wanted all of us to be able to stand on our own feet.
Socha Na Tha and Ahista Ahista sound very similar. What is the difference between the two?
The style is very similar because of Imtiaz in terms of the characters, narrative and personal relationships but because of a different director the treatment is different. Ahista Ahista is not a love triangle as such, but it's about a guy who meets a girl, falls in love and the changes she brings about in him. It's left up to the audience to decide whether those changes are good or bad. My character of Ankush is a confident, pro-active boy from a humble background. So it's unlike Socha Na Tha in those ways as also not being urban.
There are often rumours about all the Deols appearing in a film together. Now the father and two sons are acting in Apne together. Any plans for you to act with all or any of them?
There's nothing in the offing right now. I would like to work with my brothers and uncle – but one by one. To have all of us together, the film would have to be really wow! I'd most like to do a film with my uncle (Dharmendra) to begin with, either in a fatherson role or, more interestingly, as two con men. It would be great to do something innovative with him.
Socha Na Tha and Ahista Ahista sound very similar. What is the difference between the two?
The style is very similar because of Imtiaz in terms of the characters, narrative and personal relationships but because of a different director the treatment is different. Ahista Ahista is not a love triangle as such, but it's about a guy who meets a girl, falls in love and the changes she brings about in him. It's left up to the audience to decide whether those changes are good or bad. My character of Ankush is a confident, pro-active boy from a humble background. So it's unlike Socha Na Tha in those ways as also not being urban.
There are often rumours about all the Deols appearing in a film together. Now the father and two sons are acting in Apne together. Any plans for you to act with all or any of them?
There's nothing in the offing right now. I would like to work with my brothers and uncle – but one by one. To have all of us together, the film would have to be really wow! I'd most like to do a film with my uncle (Dharmendra) to begin with, either in a fatherson role or, more interestingly, as two con men. It would be great to do something innovative with him.