Abhay Deol in Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!

You aren’t seen much on Bollywood’s social circuit or at premieres. Why do you keep such a low profile?

When I am at work, I have a camera always around me; so when I am not working, I try to stay away from it. I get a lot of attention for what I do; so whenever I get an opportunity, I disappear. In my leisure, I travel a lot. Actually, nowadays, whenever I get the time I just don’t do anything — my work takes away so much that I don’t feel like doing anything.

Anurag Kashyap said, “Dev D would be Abhay’s best performance till date”. Comment.

I really can’t judge yet, it’s too soon. I can only say that I did put in a lot of effort. I tried my best, but I try that with every film. Let the audience see and then we will all know how it measures up.

How different is Dev D from the original Devdas?

It goes much deeper into addiction, dependency, loss more than it does in the original where it is more about love, family values, Paro. We have all that in this film, no doubt, but it’s a more personal journey than the book is. He does it all — alcohol, drugs, and his love for Paro is a sort of addiction too. He is a character you can relate to. I played it like that. I didn’t want to play up melodrama, I didn’t want to play up self-pity. I just wanted to make him someone whom you could spot in a nightclub in Mumbai or Delhi. He is a very urban character.

Are you scared of comparisons as Devdas is one character who has been portrayed by superstars like KL Saigal, Dilip Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan?

No. I think I have faced comparisons from the time I have entered the industry. They tried to compare me with my family first (the Deols), which I expected. I can’t blame anyone for doing so, it’s natural, but it dragged on for a long time. I am glad it doesn’t happen any more. I don’t shy away from comparisons. I just do things because I believe in it. Dev D was a journey I believed in. I didn’t think about who has done the role before me. Comparisons will follow, they will come and they will go.

If you were to fall in love with somebody unattainable, how would you react?

I guess, at one time, I would have been upset with that person. I think the way I am right now, if something is unattainable, I won’t even try.

How far would you go for a loved one?

I would go all the way to support my loved ones.

Is love a strength or a weakness?

For me love is strength.

After Socha Na Tha, why has the Deols’ Vijayta Films not offered you any other film project?

I want to find my own way to success. My family supports me in this decision. They really want me to make my own choices, make my own mistakes, fall down and stand up on my own. This makes me a stronger person. I am out there trying it on my own. I am always going to be associated with Vijayta Films. You know when the right structure comes along, I am sure about working with them.

Imtiaz Ali too didn’t repeat you in Jab We Met. Were you disappointed?

No, not at all. I and Imti had done Socha Na Tha. I looked forward to working with other directors and he too looked forward to other actors. Jab We Met was never intended with me in mind. I was just happy that he got to make his second film.

In your three 2007 films — Honeymoon Travels, Ek Chalis Ki Last Local and Manorama Six Feet Under — critics praised your performances but your look was pretty unconventional. Which kind of look would you want to project in your future films?

I don’t go for any particular look. I would go for a role. If the people and critics like me in a role then I get associated with the look of that character. For instance, I was the boy-next-door after Socha Na Tha but then I had to get into the look of a mature middle-class man for Manorama. It changes project-to-project. I don’t strive for any particular look.

But isn’t stardom also about glamour and flashiness? Do you ever consider a make-over?

I am a very casual person in real life and I think I would always remain so — comfortable and casual. I think all these terms like “make-over” and “look” are just tags given to you that are related to photo-shoots.

I can do a glamorous role and I can also look like a common man on the road. It’s good to be fluid and it’s good not to put all your eggs in one basket. I wouldn’t want to come across as a dynamic and glamorous actor because if I have to do a non-glamorous role, then people won’t be convinced. Glamour can be easily put on with your clothes. It’s not hard to be glamorous; it’s much tougher to be normal.