SHOCKING! Bobby Deol On Battling With Alcoholism & How Imtiaz Ali Almost Screwed His Career!

In a recent interview, Bobby Deol opened up about losing his stardom, seeking 'refuge' in alcohol and how Imtiaz Ali cheated him.

By Madhuri

Bobby Deol gave a string of hits in the 90s with films like Gupt, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, Soldier and others. Unfortunately, the actor, known for his long curled locks back then, simply vanished from the film industry when his movies starting flopping one after the other. But that didn't stop him from getting trolled on the social media and becoming a part of various 'memes'.

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The birthday boy who turns 48 today recently gave a candid interview to Huffington Post where he spoke about losing stardom, how he was almost on the verge of becoming an alcoholic, his bitter experience with Imtiaz Ali and much more.

Here's what he had to say...

I Was Too Old-Fashioned And Couldn't Keep Up With The Quickly Changing Times

I Was Too Old-Fashioned And Couldn't Keep Up With The Quickly Changing Times

On being asked why he suddenly stopped doing films, Bobby answered, "I guess I was too old-fashioned, couldn't keep up with the quickly changing times. In my time, the 90s, everything was slow. People didn't talk about themselves all the time. Your work did the talking. It was rare to see or access a star and that made being one very interesting. There was no social media, no internet, things were generally simpler. Suddenly, there was this transition and I couldn't adapt to it. But now, I want to change that. I really, really want to change that."

I didn't even realize when my career started slipping away. You usually don't. Work slows down and before you know it, you are sitting at home more than hanging out on film sets. I used to ask myself: What's wrong with you, Bobby? Why aren't you getting work? Add to it the speculations and stories people spin around you.

People Thought I Was A Rich Spoilt Brat Who Didn't Want To Work

People Thought I Was A Rich Spoilt Brat Who Didn't Want To Work

The actor added, "There were stories about my unprofessionalism. People thought I am a rich spoilt brat who was happy with life and who didn't want to work. They thought I am extremely lazy. I don't know why people thought that. I have never delayed a film in my life. Ask my producers, I was always on time. But it's easy to believe a negative story and the faster it travels, fiction turns into fact and it's an endless cycle."

I Can't Push My Director-Producer Friends To Cast Me In Films

I Can't Push My Director-Producer Friends To Cast Me In Films

On being asked if he called up any of his industry friends to cast me in their films, Bobby said, "I did that. It didn't help. I spoke to all my director-producer friends. I told them: give me a good role, it doesn't have to be the lead. And they're like, "Haan, pukka, pukka" and "Arrey, sure. Let's do something." But it was all lip-service and I don't even blame them. I can't push them to cast me. I've met them and I'll meet them again and ask them again for work. I cannot sit at home. All these years I have just sat at home. What'll keep me busy? There's no work."

I Was On The Verge Of Becoming A Total Alcoholic

I Was On The Verge Of Becoming A Total Alcoholic

The actor further opened up about his depressing phase and said, "There was a particular phase where I turned to the bottle and was on the verge of becoming a total alcoholic. My wife, Tanya, who is the most beautiful person in the whole world, a source of constant support, told me, "What're you doing? This isn't going to help. Why are you being so self-destructive?" And I am like, I was looking after myself for so long, kya hua? Did the producers and directors chase me? No. And then there was an awakening. I was like, Fuck this shit. I am not going to sulk in self-pity. Not working makes you ill, sad, depressed. It ages you. I am going to bounce back no matter what."

I Couldn't Get Myself To Watch Imtiaz Ali's 'Highway' Because I Was To Do That Film

I Couldn't Get Myself To Watch Imtiaz Ali's 'Highway' Because I Was To Do That Film

Bobby said, "Alia Bhatt is amazing. So are the rest of them. But I still feel there's something missing in them. I wanted to watch Alia's Highway but I couldn't get myself to.

I was to do it. I was also to do Jab We Met. Back then, it was titled Geet. I had seen Socha Na Tha and instantly reached out to Imtiaz saying that he's an incredible storyteller with a terrific future. I told him that I wanted to work with him and he had the script of (what is now) Jab We Met ready. He was looking for financiers.
There was a studio called Shri Ashtavinayak who wanted to sign me. I told them that let's sign Imtiaz. He has a script ready. And let's talk to Kareena Kapoor (Bobby had worked with Bebo in Ajnabee). The producers were like, oh no, that guy will make an expensive film. Kareena, on the other hand, didn't even want to meet Imtiaz. I took them to Preity (his close friend and Soldier co-star). She agreed but said she can do it only after 6 months. So we were stuck.

Days passed. And suddenly I read that Ashtavinayak has signed Imtiaz for Jab We Met and Kareena is doing the film! And she had gotten her then boyfriend, Shahid Kapoor to act opposite her. I was like, wow. Quite an industry. We were also to do Highway together but he again did his own thing. But I have no hard feelings against him. He is a great director and doing so well. We're still friends. But I always tell him: 'Imtiaz, I won't watch any of your films until you make one with me. That'll be your best film."

Meanwhile the actor will be next seen in big comeback vehicle 'Poster Boys' which marks the directorial debut of actor Shreyas Talpade.

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