“I welcomed negativity on ZNMD with open arms” – Abhay Deol

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

August 3, 2011 - 4:12 AM IST

Abhay Deol is ecstatic. It is close to three weeks since the release of his biggest film till date, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and footfalls just don't seem to cease. From the relatively humbler world of Dev D and Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye to critically recognised performances in Manorama Six Feet Under and Ek Chalis Ki Last Local, Abhay has come a long way to feature in a huge spinner like Zindagi Na... . Abhay shares his excitement about not just the film doing well but also some brickbats that came along.

“I welcomed negativity on ZNMD with open arms” – Abhay Deol

Abhay, I remember you mentioning in one of our earlier conversations that you all you wanted was someone to show good trust in you and make a big film. I guess this trust has now been paid off with Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara?
Yes, I remember saying that (chuckles). It was all about someone backing me up well and lends some faith. This is one of the major reasons why this film's success was really important for me since it puts me in a bigger commercial space. Today a lot of people are commenting positively on what I did in this film. Now that's heartening (smiles).

Well, but along with that there were also accusations that the film was basically promoting Spanish tourism more than anything else. What were your reactions to such claims when you heard it first?
I was glad to listen to it all and welcome negativity with open arms (laughs). No really, I mean it. I mean tab se sab kuch achcha hi sun raha tha movie ke baare mein. All pre-release screenings gave so much positive response while everyone around me said that we had done something brilliant. So when some people pointed out the entire thing around Spain tourism et al, I just asked them to elaborate. In any case, most of the reviews were so positive that they outshone negativity, so I was fine with it after all.

And why not? After all you and Farhan also turned out to be the biggest beneficiary of the film's success despite Hrithik starring in it, isn't it?
You are saying that, not I (smiles). For me it is still very much a film about three 'bwoyz'! They were the main protagonists with girls (Katrina, Kalki) as a bonus on the top. I guess at some level all of us benefited in a different way. But yeah, if others are saying and you too are saying that I benefited most then well, it does feel good (smiles).

So where do you move from Spain now? Shanghai?
(Laughs) Yeah, it is time to move to Shanghai. It is again not a very serious film but more of a dark comedy. Despite the fact that it is not about on particular person but more about a system, it won't be controversial. Again it has enough in it to do very well with the masses despite not quite being a quintessential formula film.