"I have rejected unconventional scripts too" - Abhay Deol

By Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Hungama News Network

Trust Abhay Deol to feature in some of the most unconventional films to have come out of Bollywood. While Socha Na Tha was perhaps his safest film till date, films like Ek Chalis Ki Last Local, Manorama - Six Feet Under and Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! have all looked at exploring different themes. Now comes Dev D which is an altogether different interpretation of Devdas and one wonders whether he purposely goes around looking for unconventional roles.

"No, actually I don't", Abhay says promptly, "There are all sorts of scripts out there with number of people who want to make their kind of films. These are guys who have dreamt of making something close to their heart and given everything into their scripts. But then it isn't that I select the most unconventional of the lot and pick and choose only those films. I filter the ones out about which I am most convinced and excited."

So has he ever rejected anything unconventional straightaway? "Yes, I have. See, as I said there are all sorts of people who have made up this world and it is a personal choice to accept or reject something. If I haven't done a project, it's not because it is bad. It could also be because I don't block my dates for 2-3 years. I go one year at a time, assess my market value, the trends and then give a go-ahead to a project."

He also reveals that he has changed his approach when it comes to meeting filmmakers for script reading sessions. "I have taken a step back there. I see a lot of heartbreak if you listen to a filmmaker, make him hope in anticipation that as an actor you will give a green signal to his project, only to feel disappointed in the end. So now, I have started getting selective when it comes to meeting people as well. I don't want to waste their time in listening to a script when I know beforehand that I won't be able to do a project. It gets a little emotional for them initially but then it's better than gaining false hopes", explains Abhay.

Meanwhile his Dev D, which has started gaining steam amongst it's target audience, the urban multiplex junta, is all set for a 7th February release. Directed by Anurag Kashyap and produced by UTV Spot Boy, Dev D sees the Bollywood debut of Kalki and Mahi Gill. Boasting of an exemplary score by Amit Trivedi, Dev D would kick start another promising year for Abhay Deol which would also see the release of his Dev Benegal directed film.

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