Talktime | Sunny Deol
PRAKRITI ROY catches up with DEOl before the TV premiere of his film Ghayal Once Again on Zee Cinema tonight at 8.30 pm to talk about his plans for the next few months, his tryst with direction & production and what he feels about censorship
Any plans for Ghayal 3IJ
Why notIJ I would love to take this franchise forward. But I would like someone to write a good script and someone else to direct. I won’t direct it the next time. Acting and directing simultaneously is a bit too much.
How have the action sequences changedIJ
We still like to do that hero-hitting-villain-flying concept. I wanted to move away from that and make it real. There is the use of technology but it’s not advanced enough in India to make it look realistic. However, our chase sequences were pretty real.
What do you enjoy the most — acting, directing or producingIJ
Acting is great fun, nothing better than it. In direction, you get to create something and say what you want to say in totality. It’s a bit tougher than acting as you have to control a team. Production is comparatively harder. It’s like a baraat that’s with you for 100 days and you never know kab kaun naraaz ho jata hai.
Your views on the new actorsIJ
There are various kinds of new actors these days. Some believe that they can become actors through their six pack. Some think dancing will make them actors. Some feel that they can just look the part and be good actors. And then there are few jinko acting ka bhoot sawaar hai. They are quietly working. I can’t recall names but there are some like Abhay (Deol) who are doing great work. Abhay does cinema he believes in.
Any friends in the industryIJ
We make friends only during school. After that, it’s convenience.
What about your son Karan’s debut filmIJ Any advice from youIJ
I am on it. We are in the pre-production stage. No advice as such but as a parent I can only teach him what is right and wrong. After a certain age, you do what you want to do.
What films are you working onIJ
Right now I am entirely focussed on Karan’s film. Apart from that, I’m shooting Bhaiyyaji Superhit where I am in a double role with co-stars Preity Zinta and Ameesha Patel. I am also part of the remake of the Marathi film Poshter Boyz, directed by Shreyas Talpade. Bobby (Deol), Shreyas and I are acting in it. I am in talks with SS Rajamouli for my next production.
Any new movies you’ve enjoyedIJ
I don’t watch movies. I have only seen my dad’s films. I’ve still not seen Ghayal. I was so busy making it!
Your film Mohalla Assi (2010) got stuck with the Censor Board because of abusive language…
What can one say about controversiesIJ Some producers know how to cash in on it, some don’t. The producers of Mohalla Assi are still fighting for its release. I hope it sees the light of day. I don’t think there was anything objectionable in it.
Your thoughts on censorshipIJ
As creative people, we never want any curbs on our work. But there’s a board sitting there to correct us. Whether they are right or wrong is an unending debate. I would want only certification. People deciding these things should look at films as works of fiction. Many times, other parties get involved, which should not be the case. Actually, we need to censor Internet and TV where people often get away with anything.
Does your father Dharmendra comment on your filmsIJ
He tells me when my films are good. But it’s more fun if he says“Yeh kyun kiyaIJ Nahi karna chahiye thha.”
Would you like to do a biopicIJ
That has become a fad these days. I am not a great believer but if the subject is good and the character interesting I will do it, but not for the sake of doing it.
If there was anyone you could work with again, who would it beIJ
I wish it was possible for me to work with Amrish Puriji. I don’t think there is another person who comes even close to him in acting.