<span class=normal>Deepak Dobriyal <BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>Instant Recall: Mamdu, a Muslim shopkeeper who worships Hanuman, in Delhi-6, Saifs sidekick in Omkara<BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>Deepaks Story So Far: We loved him first as Dollys almost-dulha, Rajjo, who was foil to Saif Ali Khans evil in Omkara. But this year, in three back-to-back releases, Deepak Dobriyal has shown that few can match him in range. In Delhi-6, he breaks your heart as a shopkeeper attached to a goat; in Gulaal, he keeps you rivetted as Kay Kay Menons right-hand man Bhati while in 13 B, he blows you away as Ashok, the mentally-challenged murder suspect. It wont be wrong to call Deepak as the character specialist in movies that believe in telling it like it is. Its a distinction that he relishes. The compliment I cant get enough of is when people fail to recognize me. I dont want to get trapped in any image except maybe the one where my audience feels that whatever he does, hell do it well, says the 34-year-old. <BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>Originally from Garhwal, Dobriyal grew up in Delhi where he worked with theatre guru Arvind Gaur. He arrived in Mumbai in 2001 and ended up doing bit roles in films like Dil Hai Tumhara, Samay and Charas. He also played a servant in the Balaji soap Koi Apna Sa. He thought he got a big break in Maqbool where he was Pankaj Kapurs bodyguard. When the film came out, it had Dobriyal only guarding Kapur with not even a single dialogue. But something about him impressed Kapur who recommended him for Rajjos role in Omkara. Quiz him on how life has changed after that Vishal Bhardwaj film and he replies, Pre-Omkara I was a last option for casting. When they could not get anyone, they would call me, but now directors develop roles keeping me in mind. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra told me that my pictures were already on his soft board as Mamdu for Delhi- 6. Thats a thrill for any actor. <BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>He continues his experimental mode with the Kundan Shah-directed silent 10-minute short Hero in Mumbai Cutting. Theres also a lead role in Daayen Ya Baayen. Any dream roles? <BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>Id love to act in a biopic on the hockey great Major Dhyan Chand. Itll be nice to live with a role for six months, to prepare it so well that you become the character, he says. Anybody listening? <BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>Wish-list: Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, Jim Carrey in The Mask and Samuel L Jackson in Pulp Fiction. <BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>Industry Verdict: Whenever I see Deepak in a film, I feel such joy. Hes a true artiste, says Vishal Bhardwaj. <BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p><a href= https://www.screenindia.com/ target=_blank>Screen India</a></span>