‘He pushed me to the verge of a breaking point’: Karan Deol

While most star kids are looked up to in awe for their famed lineage, for Karan Deol it was a different story. Being Sunny Deol’s son often became a source of embarrassment for him! He recalls, “I still remember that sports meet in my school that I was part of. Three boys from a higher class came and lifted me in the air and said, ‘Agar Sunny Deol ka beta hai to apne aap ko bacha ke dikha.’ I was so embarrassed!” The teachers were not far behind in doing something similar. “The only support I had was my mother. So, at the time, it was tough to be a Deol,” says Karan. As he is being launched in Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas with the heavy-duty tag, Karan aka Rocky talks about being directed by his father, nepotism, upcoming projects and current relationship status.

Your father has directed you in your debut film. Was there any pressure working under his direction?

Actually, it was not a pressure. This is my first film and I have to prove myself to the world. I had to work hard for it and he (Sunny) just pushed me to the verge of a breaking point. There were times when I would break down and cry but I still shot the same sequence the way he wanted. He was preparing me for the world I am entering because if I don’t perform well, the industry won’t recognise me.

Your granddad Dharamendra and father are both known for action movies. What made you start your career with a love story?

My father and bade papa had a discussion at home before, ‘hum log kaisi story karein, love story, thriller ya action?’ I left everything to them as they have spent more time in the industry. I had complete faith and trust in their judgment. My dad and Bobby (Deol) chachu’s first movies Betaab and Barsaat respectively, were also love stories. It was the same with Abhay (Deol) chachu too. Also, my dad thought launching me in a romantic outing would be easier to connect with the audience.

Of late, there has been a lot of talk about nepotism in the industry. Do you think you will be the latest target?

It’s obvious. I got the launchpad because of my father. I can’t run away from that fact or lie about it. That doesn’t mean I have not put in work or effort in this film. Before this film started, I started working on it. I was well-prepared for every scene because I don’t want people to target me. Nepotism doesn’t bother me because I’m giving 100 per cent for the film I am working in.

Karan Deol and Sunny Deol

Have your grandfather and dad given you any advice to survive in the industry?

My bade papa only told me to just try to love everyone and be humble to them. Dad asked me to give my 100 per cent, told me that I will have to face criticism but have to take it positively.

Do you have friends in Bollywood?

I don’t have a single star kid as a friend. Now, as my film is ready for release, I will try to make some. But there are things that I have to keep in mind before making friends in the industry because we have too many ‘yes men’. If I am wrong, they won’t tell me to my face. They will only drag you down and not let you grow in future. I only have my family and a few close friends from school.

Going forward, what kind of films do you want to do?

Right now, I’m in talks with Inder Kumar for a movie and it’s is almost final. This film will be different from the one I am doing right now. It will be a rom-com. But in future, I want to do action-based films.

Any actors you look forward to working with?

Vicky Kaushal is one of the actors I want to work with because with every film he is experimenting. One actor should not be recognised by his genre and he is one of those.  

Newcomers are often linked with each other... What about your co-star Sahher Bamba?

No, there’s nothing between us at all. The chemistry that people saw in the trailer is only for the film not beyond that. But yes, I am in a relationship that’s complicated right now.