Bobby Deol flanked by Bipasha Basu (left) and Priyanka Chopra

Bobby Deol is elusive, though not by choice. “That’s the way I am. I’ve changed my number so frequently even I don’t bother to memorise it. No one knows how to reach me. My father-in-law and sister complain about it. But what to do? I can’t become more sociable just because that’s expected of me. That wouldn’t be me.”

But fatherhood twice over has compelled Bobby to revamp his laid- back attitude to life and career. “My two sons really adore me. They’ve made me more responsible. Earlier I was the youngest and therefore the laadla of the family. No more so. I work out more often?at least five times a week, not to look beefy but just to stay fit. If you’re healthy you feel good about life and career.”

The philosophy of his life seems to have improved Bobby’s chances at the box-office. His last few films didn’t do well. But Bobby is vastly upbeat about Barsaat. “It’s a film with lots of family values. Though I’ve done a love triangle before, Sunny Bhaiyya and I were in love with the same girl in Dillagi. So Barsaat is my first love triangle where I’m with two leading ladies.”

He warms up at the mention of Priyanka Chopra and Bipasha Basu. “I’ve worked with both of them before. Bipasha started her career in Ajnabee where I was also around. As for Priyanka, I’m really happy to see how far she has come. In fact, I’m proud of both the girls. In Barsaat we do a state-of-the-art triangle but with a totally unique twist.”

Bobby has a great deal to say about his director. “Suneel Darshan is the kind of director I’d want to work with repeatedly. In fact, I’ve already completed another film, Dosti, for Suneel about male bonding with Akshay Kumar. Suneel and I’ve decided to work on another project. The script is yet to be finalised?He’s so passionate and devoted to his work that he enthuses everyone on the sets. Contrary to perceptions I too am completely devoted to my work, though I don’t go around tom-tomming my commitment to my work. What I’ve been lacking lately is motivation. I needed to re-invent my career. I think Barsaat gives me that opportunity.”

He did step into Akshay Kumar’s territory, but with his consent. “Akshay and I are buddies. When he had a date problem with Barsaat and Suneel asked me to step in I asked Akshay about it. Akshay said he was glad it was me and not anyone else. I don’t make friends easily. Akshay is one of my few friends in the industry. In fact, his wife Twinkle and I started our careers together in a film coincidentally called Barsaat.”

As a producer the Deols have burnt their fingers. “We lack the business sense of Suneel Darshan. We don’t know how to deal with money. Our productions are just not commercially viable. Recently we did produce my cousin Abhay Deol’s film Socha Na Tha. And we’re very proud of it. It was very young feisty film. In fact, Sunny Bhaiyya is now doing a film with its director Imtiaz Ali.”

All three Deols ? Dharmendra and sons Sunny and Bobby are all set to be seen together in Anil Sharma’s film. “That should be exciting,” says Bobby cautiously. “Only the script needs to be worked out properly. What we’re sure of is that we’ll play our real-life roles of father and sons and it’d be a film about the dreams that a father sees for his children. Audiences should like that.”

Bobby is hoping Barsaat would be a new beginning for his career. “I hope it makes the kind of impact that Suneel Darshan’s other films have made. I need a big hit at this point of my career.”

SKJ