A bumper crop for Bobby Deol

Apr 8, 2007 Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, April 8 (IANS) Get ready for a big dose of Bobby Deol. He's got six releases lined up for 2007. "That's at least three more than I generally have in a year," says the usually laidback actor.

"Am I tired? No, just apprehensive about how people will react to so many of my films tumbling out all at once. There's a whole lot coming up for me. I guess I've reason to be jittery," said Bobby.

"Last year I had virtually no release. Now, I've projects like 'Shaka Laka Boom Boom', 'Nanhe Jaisalmer', 'Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom', Abbas-Mustan's and Sivan's films and of course our family project 'Apne' directed by Anil Sharma. I hope they're spaced out. But it's not in my hands."

The younger Deol has just returned from shooting in Chandigarh with Sangeeth Sivan, the director who did the comedy "Kya Kool Hain Hum". It's an action flick.

"So what's the big deal. Before 'Kya Kool... Sivan did 'Zor' with my brother Sunny, which was also an action movie," says Bobby. "We've known each other for a long time. Like me, he's a softie at heart. But he's good at making action films too. And I'm doing one after a long time, so it's fun."

Nana Patekar co-stars with Bobby in Sivan's film. "I'd heard so many stories about him. But he's very easy to work with. And he's a unique actor. I also worked with Zarina Wahabji for the first time. She's such a warm person. We had a great time."

Right now, Bobby is anxious about the dark character he's playing in "Shaka Laka..." which is expected to release first.

"Though I've played the role of a ruthless killer in 'Bicchoo', 'Badal' and 'Soldier' my character in 'Shaka Laka...' is different. I'm playing a musician who's so much in love with his music that he's willing to go to any lengths for his passion. Only at the end of the journey does he realise how wrong he was."

Bobby is quite fascinated by the "evil" character. "He's like a small kid who says, 'I want, I want' without realising how selfish he is. I'm also a child at heart, but I don't have that mean streak. I like playing people who are not like me."

"Shaka Laka..." has no romantic lead. "The guy's in love with his music - and only his music. I can't understand that mindset because I'm in love with so many things. Besides my work, I love my family, my privacy, food, a holiday.... In fact I need to take my family out on a holiday this summer. I wonder if I can get away!"

One person Bobby loved working with was Shaad Ali in "Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom". "He's such a chilled out guy. He treats everyone - from actors to spot-boys -equally. I was very comfortable being directed by him."

The 'soldier' is marching into 2007 with a lot of hopes hanging on his well-toned shoulders. "The six films are going to determine my future to some extent."