The silver screen is set to sizzle as Anurag Kashyap’s upcoming thriller Bandar, hitting theaters on June 5, casts actor Bobby Deol in the role of a washed-up celebrity. For Bobby, who has clawed his way back from a career slump with hits like Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s 2023 family crime drama Animal and acclaimed series like Prakash Jha’s Aashram and Aryan Khan’s Netflix directorial debut The Ba***ds of Bollywood, this character seems to mirror his own tumultuous journey in the entertainment industry.
In a candid interview, Bobby revealed how he harnessed the ‘hate’ and ‘anger’ from his challenging times to transform into a ‘better actor.’ A pivotal moment in his career was when he was replaced as the male lead in the iconic 2007 romantic comedy Jab We Met, directed by Imtiaz Ali.
The Turning Point
Bobby had been instrumental in bringing Imtiaz Ali and leading lady Kareena Kapoor together, pitching the film to various production houses. Yet, to his dismay, one of those companies went ahead with the project, replacing him with Shahid Kapoor.
“That was a heartbreak,” Bobby confessed on the show Aap Ki Adalat. “I needed a film like that at that point in my career. I had immense trust in Imtiaz after Socha Na Tha with Abhay. Watching the rough cut, I was mesmerized by his work and eager to collaborate,” he recalled.
Socha Na Tha was Imtiaz Ali’s first directorial venture in 2005, starring Bobby’s cousin Abhay Deol and Ayesha Takia, produced by his legendary father Dharmendra’s company, Vijayta Films, under the aegis of his brother Sunny Deol.
The Industry’s Harsh Realities
“We agreed on doing a film together, but my weak market position meant no support. I spent a long time trying to get the film rolling. The production house I pitched it to labeled Imtiaz as an expensive director, yet they made the film with him and the heroine I had brought on,” Bobby lamented.
Reflecting on this incident during a conversation on Raj Shamani’s podcast Figuring Out last year, Bobby said, “I was devastated. There was no work. I worked with certain directors on typical Bollywood films. No hard feelings towards Imtiaz; he’s one of the industry’s finest. Perhaps he was also insecure and had to make a choice, albeit in a negative way.”
Interestingly, Imtiaz Ali’s account of the events offers a slightly different perspective, adding layers to this dramatic tale of resilience and resurgence.
