"It's a phony life here"

by | July 22, 2015, 11:59 IST

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It's a phony life here


He excelled in playing the daft but devoted brother of R Madhavan in the recent Tanu Weds Manu Returns (TWMR). Playing Pappi Singh has made Deepak Dobriyal a household name and face. It may be recalled that essaying the same character in Aanand L Rai’s earlier Tanu Weds Manu (2010) had bagged him a couple of awards as well. “I had no idea that the role of Pappi Singh in TWMR will earn me so much appreciation. This is a turning point in my career. My world has changed in a single day. Kahte hain na Bhagwan jab deta hai to chhappar phaad kar deta hai!” he says in elated tones. As an afterthought he adds, “Actually, I believe my acting was much better in 1971, Gulaal, Not A Love Story and Daayen Ya Baayen. But if your work does not reach the viewers, it’s of no use. Confidence only comes with the viewers’ positive reactions. It keeps the creative spark alive.” He does a quick review of his journey, which has its share of dark phases as well...


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(on top) Still from Tanu Weds Manu Returns and (bottom) still from Not A Love Story

From stage to screen
I come from Gadhwal (Uttarkhand). Later, we lived in Delhi. I graduated in arts. Then for seven years I did theatre with the Asmita Theatre Group. I came to Mumbai in
2001. In Delhi, I enjoyed doing Shakespeare’s plays. In Mumbai, too I veered towards offbeat cinema initially. My first film was Amritsagar’s 1971. Then I did Anurag Kashyap’s Gulaal but it got stuck. Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara gave me some recognition. This was followed by Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra’s Delhi-6, Shaurya and eventually Dabangg2. My character in Dabangg 2 – Genda (portrayed the role of a gangster who rules the streets of Kanpur) – won me praise. But Tanu Weds Manu brought me unprecedented popularity. I have come to be known as Pappi Singh. In fact, I have to remind people that I am Deepak Dobriyal.

I, me, myself
Deep within I’m a simple guy from Gadhwal. I’d like to retain that simplicity. In Delhi, I enjoyed a decent reputation. Sharafat ka doosra naam tha Deepak Dobriyal. I’m an idealist basically and dwell in a ‘Sufi zone’ of sorts. I can be entertaining as well. I’m funny like a cartoon at times and I can turn serious as well. There are shades to my personality. But showbiz has affected me. It’s a phony life here. I realised that I should also become a bit ‘smart’ to survive here. People do business here, not acting. This kills creativity. Also, there is ‘groupism’ in the industry. They like to promote their own people, not talent. Yes, money is important for survival. But I will not accept any role for the sake of money. The role has to be worthwhile. I cannot cheat the audience and myself. I like to surprise my viewers. I hope I can do that with my next – a political satire, Anirudh Chaddha’s Lollypop Since 1947 (allegedly based on Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party)

Dark times
I met with an accident two years back during the shooting of Lollypop Since 1947. My left eye was hurt and I had to undergo surgery. I was depressed as I had to stay at home for around a year. I became self-absorbed. I feared my career was over. But interacting with my four-year-old son Golu (Siddharth) made me forget everything. He helped me recover. During that time, I started drinking a lot. But I realised that alcohol, self-pity and blaming others are the most despicable things to do. I gave it up.
I even thought of taking to writing and direction. In fact, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra was ready to produce my film. Just then I started getting offers again. Sooraj Barjatya cast me in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and I was also offered TWMR.

People I love

Kangana Ranaut is a lovely person. She’s childlike. Whenever she felt bored on the set of TWMR, she used to look out for me. We are both pahadis, she’s from Manali and I’m from Gadhwal. We’d share our memories. Director Anandji and Soorajji have a similar quality. They love their actors and treat them like family. Every actor is a king on the sets. I must mention that I consider Vishal Bhardwaj as my godfather. He brought me recognition through Omkara (his act as Rajan Tiwari  won him the Filmfare Special Award). I respect director Ram Gopal Varma as well. He changed a skinny fellow into a poster boy in Not A Love Story. I couldn’t have appeared more dangerous (played Robin Fernandes in the film allegedly based on the Neeraj Grover murder case).

My wife, my strength
My wife Lara is from Mumbai. I met her on the set of Omkara. She has assisted Wes Anderson during Darjeeling Limited (2007), Sooni Taraporewala during Little Zizou (2008) and Vishal Bhardwaj during Omkara and Kaminay (2009). I’m an impulsive and vulnerable person but she keeps me on track. I’m like a cartoon character, who lives in a dream world. But she pulls me back. She is mature. She has a good knowledge of world cinema and so we have much to share. Like me, she enjoys reading. Incidentally, Raag Darbari (a political staire by Sri Lal Sukla) is my favourite book. I engage in different activities, which de-stress me. I love gardening.
I enjoy cooking. Recently, I made gaajar aur shaljam ka achaar.  I maintain a dairy as well. An actor should be like water, which can dissolve anything. That’s why I try to assimilate experiences.


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Knowing Salman Khan

Salman has a good heart. He goes all out to promote people. He’s loved by everyone but sometimes people do take him for granted. I am an athlete. I was a zonal champion in Delhi. During the shooting of Prem Ratan Dhan Payo in Karjat we’d often play football, cricket and volleyball. Once I went on the set, wearing chappals. Salman was in a mood to play football. Salman gave me his shoes. They are one size smaller than mine but still I enjoyed the game thoroughly. Salman enjoys being close to nature. That is why he loves to frequent his farmhouse in Karjat where it’s serene and peaceful.