Abhay Deol is back with girlfriend Preeti Desai in One By Two. Being a non-conformist, he says he would continue raising the bar in films and scripts that are few and far between. By Karan Bhardwaj
Congratulations, you have become a producer with One By Two. How was the experienceIJ
Thanks! It has been an awesome experience, much better than I expected. We finished schedule two days in advance, there was great camaraderie on set, everyone had fun while making the movie. I am proud of what we have got, I hope every film I produce happens in the same way.
But why did you have to produce itIJ
Most of the films I have made have been non-formula and without the backing of any big production house, studio, or director. It has been an amazing journey so far, and I have worked with some of the best directors on the scene today. I remember how hard it was to make those movies, and how hard it was particularly on the directors to keep their vision intact. I want to create a platform where I can provide a director with the best service possible, with the budget he/she wants, without any creative interference. I want to invest in ideas that are out of the box. I want to continue discovering new talent. I want to market and distribute the films properly.
Tell us about your character.
I play Amit Sharma, an IIT guy with a regular 9 to 5 job. He is urban, middle class, a regular guy that you’d meet at any office, party or pub. The story is of two people who have an impact on each other’s lives, shaping each other’s destiny, yet they are strangers and are unaware of the impact they are having one another.
How’s acting with Preeti Desai, your real life partnerIJ Can you rate her performanceIJ
I would give her 10 on 10. But I would like the audience to go and see the movie and check out her performance. I am happy with the film in all its aspects, we have got what we set out to make. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. She’s kept it real, that much I would like to say and in a film like One By Two, that is essential.
What difference does your real partner bring on the setsIJ
Most people are professional and so not that much. Your partner, however, is more likely to go that extra mile for you to complete the movie as compared to another actor with whom you share a purely professional relationship.
You were doing films regularly until 2010. Now there are gaps now. WhyIJ
It’s hard to make non-formula films without the support of others in the fraternity. Having rebelled against the system, it’s not easy to bring those who are part of that system into your fold. Most of the directors I have worked with are working with actors who have the backing of mainstream producers and studios. Also, I’d like to continue raising the bar in movies, and scripts that do that are few and far between. Most people would not invest in those films as they may be too radical. Ironic as the only reason I am where I am today is because I chose not to confirm.
Have you become extra choosyIJ
I’ve always been choosy.
What was the TV experience with Connected Hum TumIJ Would you like to do some show againIJ
It was a good experience...very different from film in terms of shooting. I would do it again if an idea appealed to me in the way that Connected... did.
After intense movies like Shanghai and Chakravyuh, you are back to romantic genre. Were you missing itIJ
I wasn’t missing the genre, it was time to do something light again. One by Two is not a typical rom-com, we are calling it that for lack of a better description. It may be dressed up in the garb of a fun film but it is quite intense. That’s what I like most about the movie, it doesn’t try too hard, it doesn’t preach, it’s subtle, it tackles some very important issues in our lives today without making a bid deal of it.
What’s happening with SingularityIJ
I really don’t know what’s happening with it. I play the role of a warrior.