Even today, if Sunny Deol were to do an out-and-out action film, it would find plenty of takers,” insists trade analyst Amod Mehra but rues the fact that post-
Gadar
, the star hasn’t been doing the kind of films his fans want to see him in.
Unlike the rabble-rousing
Border
and
Gadar
, Mehra points out that,
Hero
and
Jo Bole So Nihaal
were diluted in their anti-Pak sentiment and somewhat tentative in their approach. And that went against them commercially. So did the comedies, dramas and love stories that the actor flirted with thereafter.
“Sunny’s image is that of an action hero, but even his recent film,
Right Yaa Wrong
, is more of a courtroom drama than an action-packed thriller. He needs to get back to the genre he is best known for before it is too late,” says Mehra.
Komal Nahata, trade analyst, doesn’t agree. He argues that though this Deol is known for his punches, he was good in
Apne
that was not an out-and-out action film. “
Right Yaa Wrong
is also a very different film from what people have seen before. And
Yamla Pagla Deewana
with the three Deols seems exciting too,” he maintains.
Vinod Mirani, managing editor, Box-Ofice India, also stands by Deol’s versatility in a variety of roles. But romance, he agrees, has taken a backseat today and it’s curtains for socials too. “That leaves only thrillers and we’ll be seeing Sunny in one after a long time. Sure, action is his forte but there is also an innocence about him that is appealing. He made an
Apne
work even though sports films don’t have a big following in our country,” he reasons.