It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.
Bobby Deol stars in this week's release Shakalaka Boom Boom, with Kangana Ranaut, Upen Patel and Celina Jaitley. And while he can be charming on video, the actor is more than fed up with giving the same old interviews.
Video: Bobby Deol goes Boom Boom
Patcy N cornered him, and while Bobby forbade her from asking anything not related to Boom, tried to get more out of the actor than a yawn. Here's the exact transcript:
Bobby: Your job is to take interviews, but that's not my job. I hate giving interviews. I have to, because my producer wants it. If I had my way, I would never give interviews. People will see the promos, they will smell if it is a good film, and come to the theatre. If they like it, then its fine; if they don't, we can't help it.
After all, what can I say differently about the movie? On every channel I will answer the same questions: What is the film's USP? What is your role in the film? Why did you do this film?
Patcy: I will ask some different questions.
Bobby: Kitna different ho sakta hai? (How different can it be?)
Patcy: You must be saying the same thing over and over again
Bobby: No, sometime I miss a few words, and make it sound different. (Laughs) I am just so fed up. I have been traveling; I am down.
Patcy: Just imagine how many interviews we have to do.
Bobby: Yeah, but you all should say, 'no, we don't want to do interviews of Shakalaka Boom Boom.'
Patcy: I wish we could.
Bobby: Bolna chahiye (You should)
Patcy: Then let's ask you some other questions, and later come back to Shakalaka Boom Boom.
Bobby: No, no, no. I will not answer anything other than Shakalaka Boom Boom. Don't even enter other movies. When other movies are releasing, their producers will catch hold of rediff and I will give interviews for those.
Patcy: So can we know what Shakalaka Boom Boom is all about?
Bobby: It is a film based on the music industry and how they function inside -- the rivalry and manupilation and power play happening.
Patcy: Is the rivalry between the composers or singers?
Bobby: My character in the film is a musician and a singer too. He composes his own songs. He needs the support of others. But he has worked very hard to achieve what he has achieved in his profession. He has worked so hard that his biggest insecurity is that he is always upset with God, that He didn't give him more talent so the music would just come out from within him without any effort.
There is always a big fear in anybody who reaches a high point in their career. They have the fear that someone will come and take their place from them.
That's what happens in my profession too. Somebody who is very talented but very arrogant comes in. And it's about how that arrogance of this guy comes in way of his career too, that is played by Upen Patel. He treats people in a wrong way. And he does the biggest mistake, he pushes my character in the wrong way. And I react to this and see that no one can reach the high point except for me.
Patcy: Is it like you and Upen are working together and then you guys split?
Bobby: We are two different individuals, working differently. I am in the industry for longer and I have achieved a lot. And we are partners in the music company, so that way he has lot of power. He uses his power to get back in a very arrogant manner.
Patcy: How was it working with your co-stars Upen Patel, Kangana Ranaut and Celina Jaitley?
Bobby: We were working as co-actors who were trying to do the best for the movie, It was nice working with Upen. He is a very chilled out guy, very professional determined about what he wants from his life. He is very focussed. It's been fun working with everyone, they are all chilled out people. It was fun. When we were not working, we would spend time together.
Patcy: You shot in Johannesburg. When you guys weren't shooting, what would you do?
Bobby: We were always shooting! When we go outdoors, the producer sees to it that we are shooting everyday. We were wrking long hours. There were days when we I could leave earlier than others, as the script did not require me to be there. But at the most we would chat and dine together.
Patcy: The promos don't reveal who has which lady.
Bobby: The promos are meant to give you the feel of the movie, but at the same time don't want to reveal anything. The film hasn't released so I can't say who is with whom. But the film is based on human nature. Every human has a good side and bad side to him.
Patcy: This is your third film with Suneel Darshan. How was it working with him?
Bobby: He is like my family. I know him too well, he has worked with my brother too. Its almost like my family production.
Patcy: Can you tell us some anecdotes from the film?
Bobby: This is very difficult question. Life main kitna kuch hota rehta hai, log puchte hai kuch bataye, tab kuch yaad nahi aata. (So much happens in life, but when people ask for an incident, nothing comes to mind.) It's very difficult to recollect, but yes, we did have fun moments.
Patcy: During the shoot was there any scene that was particularly difficult to do?
Bobby: There were some scenes, but if I tell you, you will know everything. But yes, there are such scenes you find very awkward, but as an actor you have to do.
Patcy: I want to know about your home production Apne.
Bobby: I am here to talk only about Shakalaka Boom Boom. When Apne comes I will talk about it.
Patcy: How far has it progressed?
Bobby: Its finished it will release this year.
Patcy: Is it difficult working with your brother Sunny and father Dharmendra?
Bobby: No its not. It's like sitting at home and being yourself.
Patcy: Are they strict on the set?
Bobby: They are not. They are just exactly the way they are at home.
Patcy: How are they at home?
Bobby: Just like a father and brother would be.
Patcy: What are your other movies in hand?
Bobby: I have 6 releases this year. They are all coming out one after the other, so you will see a lot of myself coming this year.
Patcy: Any career mistakes?
Bobby: I am here to speak only about Shakalaka Boom Boom. My greatest career mistake is giving interviews. I tell the person I will only talk about that movie and allow that person to ask me more.
Patcy: After doing so many movies, do you think you have arrived or are you still struggling?
Bobby: Every day of your life is struggle. You are always struggling to achieve more and more. So one can never say I am not struggling.
Patcy: Any regrets in life?
Bobby: No.
Patcy: What is your favourite pastime, when not shooting?
Bobby: Giving interviews, which is what I am doing. Otherwise...
Patcy: Otherwise?
Bobby: I just like to be at home with my family.
Patcy: Anything else you would like to say?
Bobby: Thank you for bearing with me.
Patcy: Was the interview short enough?
Bobby: It was a short and sweet interview.
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