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Bobby Deol shares how his father Dharmendra’s ups and downs guided his path, leading to a remarkable career resurgence.
Bobby Deol opens up about how his father Dharmendra’s resilience inspired him to navigate challenges, and why family, passion, and fan love remain his greatest achievements.
Bobby Deol’s journey in the film industry has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, marked by determination, resilience, and reinvention. After years of struggle, the actor is finally basking in the glow of well-deserved success, thanks to his transformative performances and a renewed passion for his craft. His portrayal of the menacing Abrar Haque in the 2023 blockbuster Animal garnered widespread acclaim, solidifying his place among Bollywood’s most versatile actors. The Sandeep Reddy Vanga-directed hit, starring Ranbir Kapoor, not only reintroduced Bobby to a new generation of fans but also reaffirmed his ability to deliver impactful performances.
In 2024, Bobby expanded his horizons by stepping into South Indian cinema with Kanguva, starring Suriya, and has lined up an array of exciting projects that showcase his versatility. From the action-packed Daaku Maharaaj with Nandamuri Balakrishna to the historical epic Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 alongside Pawan Kalyan, the multi-starrer comedy Housefull 5, Alia Bhatt’s YRF-backed Alpha, and Vijay’s final film, tentatively titled Thalapathy 69, Bobby’s career renaissance is nothing short of extraordinary.
Speaking at the third edition of SCREEN Live in Mumbai, where he was joined by his brother Sunny Deol, Bobby reflected on the trials, triumphs, and unwavering support that defined his journey. He credited his family—especially his father Dharmendra and brother Sunny—for being his guiding light through difficult times. “I have been through ups and downs. I have also seen my dad, as a legend, go through ups and downs in his life. I think somewhere, I learned from that. Yet, I kind of started giving up when I was losing the battle. But my brother was always there; so was my whole family, including my mom, dad, sisters, and my wife, who’s like my backbone. So, I was really blessed,” Bobby said.
Reflecting on his journey toward self-reliance, Bobby shared, “But if you want to achieve something in life, you can’t just wait for someone to hold your hand and move you forward. You have to stand on your own two feet and do what you have to do. When I began doing that, I started moving forward and things fell into place. However, I don’t look at success. I focus more on the love I receive from everyone.” He recounted heartfelt encounters with fans, saying, “I could be driving down a street, and suddenly, someone would come banging on the door. When I ask, ‘Photo lene aayi hai?’ they would reply, ‘Nahi nahi, aapko bas dua dene aayi ki aap aur aage bade.’ That’s the best achievement for me in life.”
Bobby also reminisced about the inspiration he drew from his father’s iconic career: “When I was a kid, I used to see my dad at work with other big stars beside him. When people saw them, they would look at other actors with excitement, but when they looked at my dad, I could see only love in their eyes. That’s what I wanted when I became an actor. That’s the best award I could ever achieve in my life.”
Bobby’s cinematic journey began with Barsaat (1995), a romantic action film that marked his debut and introduced Twinkle Khanna to the silver screen. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, Barsaat positioned Bobby as a rising star. He followed this with a string of hits, including Gupt (1997), Soldier (1998), Badal (2000), Bichhoo (2000), Ajnabee (2001), and Humraaz (2002). However, like his brother Sunny, Bobby experienced a career slump in the 2000s that led to a temporary hiatus.
His resurgence began with Race 3 (2018), where he starred alongside Salman Khan and Anil Kapoor. Since then, Bobby has adopted a more experimental approach, taking on diverse roles in films like Housefull 4 (2019), Class of ’83 (2020), and Love Hostel (2022).
