We were never a part of any camp: Dharmendra, Sunny Deol

Legendary actor Dharmendra and son Sunny Deol spoke at length to DNA when they dropped in for a visit on Thursday afternoon. Excerpts from their conversation...

The three Deols came together finally — what triggered it?
Dharmendra: We have seen the effect we have on people — it’s immense. Emotionally, we have touched people, always. We all went to see the movie (Apne) in the US. In the interval people told us, ‘You made us cry too much’ and we promised them that we’ll make them laugh in our next film. If there’s a definite film, a definite screenplay, proper roles — it all goes very well.

At a recent awards function, almost every star was speaking highly about you. What do you think is the difference between your co-stars back then and now?
Dharmendra: I’m a very emotional person, I have managed to touch everyone. I’m very open and transparent too. Shah Rukh (Khan), Aamir (Khan) and Govinda have all seen my films. I’m very lucky. Right from Dilip saab to the younger people, they all love me and its genuine love.
 
Bollywood is less of a family now?
Sunny: It is a family, but it is a family of camps.

But weren’t they always there?
Sunny: No. We were never a part of any camp. Dad never believed in camps so we were unaware of this camp thing altogether.
Dharmendra: God has put me on this express highway called Bollywood — a beautiful highway with lots of traffic. Just keep moving on your track and keep going, warding off the traffic.
 
If at all you were given a chance to remake any of Dharmendra’s films, would you?
Sunny: I wouldn’t do that. I won’t be able to. Dad is dad. He’s got his own personality. He has his own way of bringing it across, his own structure. We cannot match up to dad. It’s very difficult to come up with one Taj Mahal and then build another one.
Dharmendra: But we are coming up with a different kind of architecture now.
 
You think the old-world charm of cinema is fading away?
Dharmendra: I think that is because so many TV channels have popped up. There are a lot of things to see. I remember, when I used to go for a movie, I used to stand in long queues. I’d wait for the two bells to ring. If not the film, I’d manage with posters alone. In my teenage days, the banners used to be hand painted — I used to stand there admiring the painting till Dilip saab’s moustache was shaped to perfection. Every single kid in that period had an innate desire to be an actor — be it a medical student or a college goer.
 
You’ve completed 50 years in cinema, how does it feel?
Dharmendra: 50 years just passed — just flew away. It just seems like yesterday when I used to pass through various theatres. It’s so painful to see that they have been shunned by youngsters who these days head to multiplexes instead.

If you have to give a piece of advice to give Sunny, what would it be?
Dharmendra: I think they know what I want — ishaaro mein hi samajh jaate hain. I’m so lucky.

Sunny, you are known as an action hero. Do you want to break out of that image?
Sunny: See, in acting you have to do everything. I have done bits and pieces of everything including comedy — in Chaalbaaz. Yeah, but the ones that have stood out have been serious films. But after this film, I want to do more of non-serious stuff.
 
Are you going to launch your son?
Sunny: Definitely, but not anytime soon.

What are your feelings on launching him?
Sunny: When I was young, I never thought that I want to be an actor. But these days all youngsters want to get into films. He’s keen to be an actor too.
Dharmendra: This reminds me, I once asked Raj (Kapoor) saab’s youngest son that what do you want to do — films?
He replied, “Aur hum kar bhi kya sakte hain” (laughs).

Would you think of making a foray into television?
Sunny: Definitely. You
know what I saw during the release of Yamla Pagla Deewana (YPD) — television is the next big thing, I’m certainly open to it.

How about hosting chat shows?
Sunny: I’m open to anything as long as it is interesting. When I first saw Salman (Khan) hosting a show I was so nervous — how does he do it — but then I realised they are all trained for it.

Mr Sinha, the income tax director told us that you write poems too.
Dharmendra: Yes, yes. I do write poems.

So are you writing songs?
Dharmendra: No, not for films. I just write my day-to-day feelings.

So you are writing a book?
Dharmendra: Yes, I am. In fact, I have been picturising it too. It’s about my journey. I have studied Urdu, hence poetry comes easy. I think it’s my physique that doesn’t make me look like a poet. Sunny was playing a truck driver in Gadar and still he’s branded as an action hero. It is our plus as well as minus point. We are lucky that God has blessed us with a good physique. In Chupke Chupke I didn’t bring in my physique while in Dharam Veer I did. It depends on the situation and the character you are playing. Comedy comes to me by itself. I love comedy a lot.

Are you inspired by any poet?
Dharmendra: No. I’m inspired only by circumstances. I was lonely in America for three months when I had a back operation. Sunny too had a hard time when he had to undergo three operations. I know how he struggled through it. People feel he’s arrogant but I’ve seen what he’s been through. Coming back to poetry — for three months I was alone, in the US. I felt that my loneliness would kill me and was too scared of it. I then found a way to vomit out my pain and I took to writing.

You also danced in (YPD). Item number, is it?
Dharmendra: Munni and Sheila were creating a buzz. So I thought let us be item boys.

There was something that Hema Malini had mentioned, that everything is perfect about YPD, but it feels incomplete without her being there?
Dharmendra: She is there, because I sang for her only (the original Jat yamla pagla deewana song). It was a big hit that time too. She said, ‘I’m not there but my heart is totally into it.’

Sunny, what do you do apart from acting?
Sunny: I’m an outdoor person. I like to go out hiking. I am into gaming and adventure sports.

You didn’t believe in PR  for long?
Sunny: Yes, but now I’m totally enjoying it.

Sunny, you suddenly vanished for a while...
Sunny: That was because of my health. I have had a disc problem since 1985. When I started my career I’d do all the stunts that the duplicates were meant to do and ended up damaging my back.

Sunny, how about directing your father?
Dharmendra: Yes I’m a very obedient actor (laughs).

How about doing a film with Amitabh Bachchan?
Dharmendra: Oh it’s a great idea. People still swear by Jai and Veeru’s friendship (from Sholay). The magic will perhaps be recreated.