People Don't Take Me For Granted Anymore, Says Deepak Dobriyal

Deepak Dobriyal’s inimitable style and comic timing have entertained audiences in ways like never before. He’s been slipping in and out of light, serious and grey characters with effortless ease and his prolific range as a performer has truly come forth in last year’s release Baba. While the actor basks in the appreciation coming his way for the Marathi venture, he also preps for upcoming movies Good Luck Jerry and Bhediya.

For an actor who is used to working during the entire calendar year, Deepak opened up on his lockdown experience. “I got to spend a lot of time with my kids. Mainstream media was filled with grim news so I tried to remain happy and cheered others around me as well. A lot of writing like poems and stories was also happening. I involved myself a lot in the kitchen. Something or the other was always cooking.”

What changes he sees on the set after a Covid-induced gap? “I see a lot of positivity. The energy that was muzzled during the past year is coming forward. I am also seeing a lot of enthusiasm in people about the work getting started again. The passion is quite visible. Everyone will be witnessing great stories this year, I believe. Besides, I am enjoying the fact that we are able to shoot in various locations now that the restrictions are eased.”

Deepak is in line to join the Bhediya crew in Arunachal Pradesh. It is a horror-comedy fronted by Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon.

On his experience of working in the film industry over the years, Deepak says the situation has improved ‘a lot’ for him. “A lot of people know me now. They don’t take me for granted anymore. I am getting good scripts. There is a lot of work going around with OTT coming into the mix and the choice is in my hands now,” Deepak says.

Adding further on when and how this changeover happened for him, he says, “Last one and a half year, I’d say. Hindi Medium was the turning point. Also, Tanu Weds Manu. These two films have changed my career graph. I just hope repetitive roles don’t come my way anymore. That way, both me and the audience will enjoy it. I want to do all genres but it should have been written well.”

For an actor who is not very social media savvy, Deepak underlines its importance in the life of an artist. “Instagram suits us. Whatever needs to be conveyed can be done through images. I avoid other platforms because I see a lot of negativity going around. So I have distanced myself.”

Deepak also gets candid on typecasting in films and how it is not much of a problem now as it was before. “Earlier the quantity of projects was limited. There were only some films getting made and the competition was fierce, so an actor inadvertently got the same roles. Today, actors have a choice so he/she can avoid getting into the trap. Plus, he/she has to work on themselves. Think of how and what new can you offer. There is no need to be afraid of typecasting anymore.”

With OTT coming into play, Deepak says sky is the limit for an artist. “The unknown faces are getting famous overnight. It’s being watched in more than a hundred countries so the promotion of an artist is happening on a huge scale. It’s unimaginable,” he adds.

Deepak’s next is OTT release Aafat E Ishq with Neha Sharma and Namit Das.

Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here