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 This modern-day Devdas Abhay Deol is all set to explore this
most popular romantic tragedy in a very contemporary style in his forthcoming
flick, Dev D. Being a creative actor Abhay reveals some unknown facts about him
and the film.
How’s your character and film different from the old
Devdas?
I guess the contemporary look of the film has made all the
difference. The story is very much from the book. I have played the character
with the best of my understanding of what the writer intended. I have read the
book in English. I feel his character was contemporary for his time. He was
quite urban in many ways. He is misplaced in the surrounding and has a spoilt,
obsessive and addictive personality. And that’s what I have tried to play.
Why you took so long to materialize the idea of Dev D?
I had it
in my head since long time. I narrated the idea to a lot of people before I
narrated to Anurag (Kashyap). I wanted Anurag as a director and after that it
was just a matter of looking for a producer. But my market wasn’t so great that
time and not everybody was willing to take me as lead and my focus was on my
character. …on my part I was very clear. There were few who showed interest but
were insecure. I wanted to make it with Anurag. Vikas Behl from UTV Spot boy was
keen to work with Anurag.
Do you think your performance will be
compared with SRK or Dilip Kumar?
Yes I am aware of the fact that I will
be compared but I will not indulge in that too much. I was compared to my family
when I entered so I am used to being compared to the people in the industry. If
I was compared to my brothers yesterday tomorrow after Dev D I will be compared
to Shah Rukh Khan so what’s the difference? I am not here to be compared and see
how I rate. I am here to work.
How was it working with two new
actresses?
It's good. Both the girls Mahi and Kalki are hardworking and
extremely talented. They are very polite and very down to earth. Both are very
natural and that's their strength.
You have always played solo leads in
all your films so far and all characters were well sketched. Do you insist on
solo leads?
I don't know but I definitely wanted big banners. But at the
same time I didn't want to compromise on my creativity. I think the bigger the
film, the more likely they are to make a formula film. And with that, my
creativity will be kind of wasted. I don’t have a definition for a big film or
small film. When I perform, I always think that it's a last performance. I think
that's what has helped.
Did you have any apprehensions with Anurag's
unconventional style of movie making?
No, if I would have gone with that
logic then he shouldn't have worked with me either. He has got a distinct style
I agree but that's his strength. He has his individuality. There are some
directors who don't have their distinctive style and they make films like
manufacturing factory. Anurag has his different style in that way.
Many people failed to understand his last film No Smoking will Dev D
face the same dilemma?
I have no control over what people think about
him. I only have control over a particular project I undertake. My intensions
for all of them have been to reach out to the larger audience. I am not going to
go by a person's success or failure before I work with him. If I want to go by
success then people wouldn't have worked with me either because behind me there
are unsuccessful films as well. People who worked with me have worked because
they like my work.
Are you creatively satisfied as an actor?
As
an actor I will never be satisfied and will always be hungry for more. I am
greedy right now. If I won't be greedy then I will lose interest in work that's
why the dissatisfaction is there. But in terms of what I have done up till now I
am happy.
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