Bobby Deol 2.0

Chances are that your last and lasting image of Bobby Deol is as the shirtless Abrar lying on top of Ranvijay Singh and casually lighting a cigarette. The chiselled 55-year-old imbued the mute, revenge-obsessed brutish Abrar with a swag and flamboyance that was instrumental in turning the character into one of the most iconic, diabolical antagonists of contemporary Hindi cinema. But this Bobby Deol is far removed from the young heartthrob of the 90s whose dimpled smile and innocent eyes had got the women swooning. In his upgraded version, Bobby Deol is not a cute hero but a powerhouse actor. But it was not an easy transition. He had seen his stardom slip away and consequently drowned himself in gloom, self-pity, and alcohol. In his most candid interview ever, the actor reveals how he scripted his incredible phoenix act. Excerpts:

- ANANYA GHOSH

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