Great expectations

One would expect Bobby Deol to be cocksure, revelling in an inherent confidence that talent and success runs in the family. After all, both...

One would expect Bobby Deol to be cocksure, revelling in an inherent confidence that talent and success runs in the family. After all, both father and brother, Dharmendra and Sunny, have made their mark on the silver screen. But the younger Deol is as apprehensive as any newcomer and is biting his nails over two forthcoming films — Gupt and Aur Pyar Ho Gaya. These are his first two releases, since his debut in Barsaat, and it is these films which will decide the future of this 28-year-old’s career in Bollywood. Especially since, Barsaat turned out to be a damp squib.

"I am always insecure about the future," says Bobby. But judging by the success of the music sales of both films, he has no reason to worry. But no. The youngest Deol is a pessimist. "The musical success makes me even more nervous, as people expect a lot more," says he. But what people are really asking is why the huge gap between his first and second film? The shooting was held-up as Bobby broke his leg while horse-riding. "Barsaat proved that I have been accepted but it is more difficult with each subsequent film," says Bobby.

And the media has not been very kind to Bobby either. First there is the hype of being a Deol and Bobby did not make matters easier with his numerous romantic liaisons. Add to that are allegations that the youngest son is not able to take any decisions until his family has cleared it.

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Bobby is not scared of admitting that he is very close to his family. Says he, "Sunny is my brother and father. We all live together so we are very close." His brother is also his adviser and manager, and even Dharmendra chips in. "They are usually right if they correct me. Not that I always do what they say," he says. And he has no qualms about the definite edge that coming from a filmi family has given him. Says he, "If my family helps me out, there is nothing wrong in it."

After all, his father did launch him, and now he will be working on another home production — London, which also stars Karisma Kapoor and brother Sunny.

As for his playboy image, he insists those days are over since he married Tanya Ahuja last year. And he very definitely prefers marriage over bachelorhood. "If you find the right person why waste time," he says. While Bobby may have found making a choice in his personal life easy, the same cannot be said about his professional life. He has been flooded with film offers and has had to choose with care. "I choose films which I think are going to be fun," says Bobby.

Though this is not a failure-free formula, he is quiet happy playing the romantic hero right now. For Bobby, films are a passion. "I was the youngest and the most pampered child and was always told I’d be in movies," he says. And unlike most actors, he is willing to admit that he was attracted by the glamour of Bollywood. But oddly, he is rather media shy and uncomfortable talking about himself. "I do not like speaking about my personal life. The media expects you to bare your heart to them just because you are in the public eye."