Abhay Deol(born 15 March 1976) is an Indian actor who is known for his work inHindi films.Born in theDeol family,he made his on-screen debut in 2005 withImtiaz Ali's romantic comedySocha Na Tha.Deol was praised for his performances in the independent filmsManorama Six Feet Under(2007) andOye Lucky! Lucky Oye!(2008). His breakthrough role came in 2009 with a starring role inAnurag Kashyap's black comedyDev.D,a modern-day adaptation ofDevdas.
Abhay Deol | |
|---|---|
 Deol in 2014 | |
| Born | 15 March 1976[1] Bombay,Maharashtra,India |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Relatives | SeeDeol family |
Deol had his biggest commercial success inZoya Akhtar's ensemble filmZindagi Na Milegi Dobara(2011). His performance was well-received and earned him a nomination forFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.Deol later appeared in independent films including the dramaRoad, Movie(2010) and the war filmChakravyuh(2012), while simultaneously working in commercially successful films including the romantic dramaRaanjhanaa(2013), and the romantic comedyHappy Bhag Jayegi(2016). He has since starred in theTamilfilmHero(2019) and in theNetflixdrama miniseriesTrial By Fire(2023).
Deol is noted for his portrayal of complex characters on screen, and is vocal in his support forparallel cinemain India. Deol owns a production company, Forbidden Films, which he established in 2009. He is an active philanthropist and supports variousNGOs.
Early life
editDeol was born on 15 March 1976 to Ajit Deol and Usha Deol.[2][3]He is the nephew of actorDharmendra,and the cousin ofSunny Deol,Bobby Deol,Esha Deoland Ahana Deol.[4][5]His father, who passed away in 2015, was Dharmendra's younger brother and an actor-director in bothHindiandPunjabi cinema.[6]
Abhay Deol stated in an interview withRediffthat he is into acting not because of his father, but because he was involved in theatre since school. "At 18, I decided to take the plunge. It took me 10 years because I didn't want to leave my education to get into films."[5]
Acting career
editWork in independent films and breakthrough (2005–13)
editDeol made his film debut in the 2005Imtiaz Ali'sSocha Na Tha,a romantic comedy where he starred oppositeAyesha Takia.[7][8]The film garnered mostly positive reviews from critics and was an average grosser at the box-office.[9]Deol's performance in the film was well received. His second film role was 2006's romantic dramaAhista AhistaoppositeSoha Ali Khan.Deol's first 2007 release was the ensemble comedy dramaHoneymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.which emerged as a box-office success.[10]Deol had two more releases in the year, the crime filmEk Chalis Ki Last Localand the thrillerManorama Six Feet Under.[11]The latter won the Best Film at theMahindra Indo-American Arts Council Film FestivalinNew York City,and Deol won the Best Actor Award.
Deol's sole release of 2008 wasdark comedy filmOye Lucky! Lucky Oye!.Directed byDibakar Banerjee,the film had Deol portray a compulsive thief, Lovinder Singh a.k.a. Lucky, and the film's plot follows his exploits.[12]Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!was met with critical acclaim, but suffered heavily because of the timing of its release, a day after the2008 Mumbai attacks,leading to widespread fear of crowded places.[13]
Deol's breakthrough role came in 2009 when he portrayed the titular character inAnurag Kashyap's 2009 neo-noir filmDev.D,a modern-day adaptation ofSarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's classic Bengali romance novelDevdas.The idea behind the film was conceived by Kashyap during a conversation with Deol where the latter spoke about a man frequenting aLos Angelesstrip club like a "modern day Devdas".[14]Dev.D.received widespread attention for its distinct visual style, experimental soundtrack, and innovative narrative structure which was unprecedented for any Bollywood film.[15]In a 4 out of 5 star review forThe Times of India,Nikhat Kazmideemed Deol's performance in the film as a "class act".[15]Deol appeared alongsideTannishtha ChatterjeeinRoad, Movie.[16]Deol made a cameo appearance for anItem numberin the movieTera Kya Hoga Johnnyin 2010.[17]In 2009, Deol launched a production company Forbidden Films, withJunctionbeing the film to be picked up by the banner.[18]
In 2010, he portrayed Arjun Burman, an investment banker oppositeSonam Kapoor's eponymous lead in the ensemble romantic comedyAisha,which also starredIra Dubey,Cyrus Sahukar,Amrita Puri,Anand Tiwari,Arunoday SinghandLisa Haydon.[19]In 2011, Deol starred inZoya Akhtar's ensemble comedy-drama road filmZindagi Na Milegi DobaraalongsideHrithik Roshan,Farhan Akhtar,Katrina KaifandKalki Koechlin.The story follows 3 friends, who have been inseparable since childhood, had him play the role of Kabir, an architect. They set off to Spain on a bachelor trip for Kabir who is set to be married to Natasha, an interior designer played by Koechlin.[20]He trained to be adeep-sea diverfor the film which was filmed in Spain.[21]The film opened to high critical acclaim and grossed₹1.53 billion(US$18 million) worldwide, surpassingDhoom 2in theworldwide gross,becoming the ninth-highest worldwide-grosser of all time for a Bollywood film, at the time of its release.Zindagi Na Milegi DobarawonBest Filmamong other awards, and Deol received a nomination forBest Supporting Actorfor his performance in the film.[22][23]
Deol had two releases in 2012, both of which were political thrillers–Dibakar Banerjee'sShanghaiandPrakash Jha'sChakravyuh.In the latter, Deol starred alongsideArjun Rampalas a police informer, but later gets involved in aNaxalitemovement.[24]The film received mixed reviews from film critics.[24]Shanghaico-starringEmraan Hashmiand Kalki Koechlin was based on the French novelZbyVassilis Vassilikos.[25]The film opened to positive reviews and Deol's performance as a bureaucrat/IAS officer garnered much acclaim.[26]Raja SenofRediffapplauded Deol writing, "he wears his inscrutability thickly and delivers a strong performance".[25]The film was a surprise hit and went on to gross over₹200 million(US$2.3 million) in India.[27][28]
Career expansion and fluctuations (2014–present)
editIn 2014, Deol hosted few episodes ofChannel V's crime television seriesGumrah: End of Innocence.[29]
In 2021 Deol was seen in series1962: The War in the Hillsas Major Suraj Singh, a character inspired fromMajor Shaitan Singh,Disney Channel original filmSpin,hailed as Disney's first film centered around an Indian-American family, wherein he played the role of Arvind Kumar, the father of the protagonist Rhea Kumar, a teenage girl who learns that she has a passion for creating DJ mixes and crime comedy filmVelle.[30][31][32]
In the media
editDeol has been described by the Indian media as an actor who continuously understands how to play complex characters.[2][33]He appeared on several magazine covers including theMan's Worldand theTime Out Mumbai,with titles such as "The New Face of Indian Cinema". In 2009, Deol was included in the list ofZoom's "50 Most Desirable Hotties", being placed seventh.[34]Deol learned the Israelimartial artKrav Maga.[35]He has expressed feminist views on social media[36]and has also been vocal about minority and migrant rights in India.[37]
Filmography
editFilms
edit| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Socha Na Tha | Viren Oberoi | |
| 2006 | Ahista Ahista | Ankush Ramdev | |
| 2007 | Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. | Aspi | |
| Ek Chalis Ki Last Local | Nilesh Rastogi | ||
| Manorama Six Feet Under | Satyaveer Singh Randhawa | ||
| 2008 | Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! | Lovinder 'Lucky' Singh | |
| 2009 | Dev.D | Dev | |
| 2010 | Road, Movie | Vishnu | |
| Tera Kya Hoga Johnny | Himself | Special appearance in song "Shaher Ki Rani" | |
| Aisha | Arjun Burman | ||
| 2011 | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara | Kabir Dewan | Also playback singer for the song "Señorita" |
| 2012 | Shanghai | T. A. Krishnan | |
| Chakravyuh | Kabir | ||
| 2013 | Raanjhanaa | Akram Zaidi / Jasjeet Singh Shergil | |
| The Lovers | Udaji | English film | |
| 2014 | One By Two | Amit Sharma | Also producer |
| 2016 | Happy Bhag Jayegi | Bilal Ahmed | |
| 2018 | Nanu Ki Jaanu | Nanu | |
| Zero | Aditya Kapoor | ||
| 2019 | Chopsticks | Artist | |
| Hero | Mahadev | Tamil film | |
| Line of Descent | Officer Raghav | ||
| 2020 | What Are The Odds | Valmik | Also producer[38] |
| 2021 | Velle[32] | Rishi Singh | |
| 2022 | Jungle Cry[39] | Rudra |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Connected Hum Tum[40] | Host | |
| 2014 | Gumrah: End of Innocence[41] | Host | |
| 2020 | JL50 | Shantanu | |
| 2021 | 1962: The War in the Hills | Major Suraj Singh | |
| 2021 | Spin[42] | Arvind Kumar | |
| 2023 | Trial By Fire | Shekhar Krishnamoorthy |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Film | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Manorama Six Feet Under | Indo-American Arts Council Awards | Best Actor | Won |
| 2010 | — | BIG Star Entertainment Awards | New Talent of the Decade (Male) | Nominated |
| 2012 | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara | Filmfare Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated |
| IIFA Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | ||
| 4th Mirchi Music Awards | Upcoming Male Vocalist of The Yearfor "Senorita" | Nominated[43] | ||
| 2014 | Raanjhanaa | Producers Guild Film Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Nominated |
| 2023 | Trial By Fire | 2023 Filmfare OTT Awards | Best Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated |
References
edit- ^"'Dancer Deol' Abhay turns 37! ".Zee News.15 March 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 30 March 2018.Retrieved20 August2016.
- ^abHeather Wilson (22 June 2013)."Raanjhanaa Review".Cinema Chaat.Archivedfrom the original on 3 March 2014.Retrieved16 July2013.
- ^Sandhu, Ajay."Memories with Deol Family".25 December 2010.Punjabi Portal. Archived fromthe originalon 30 January 2011.Retrieved22 September2012.
- ^"What's Common Among Sunny, Bobby & Abhay Deol".14 July 2011.Koimoi. 14 July 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 3 February 2012.Retrieved22 September2012.
- ^abPatcy N (2 March 2005)."Sunny bhaiyya loves soft toys!".Rediff.Archivedfrom the original on 6 January 2011.Retrieved17 April2010.
- ^"Dharmendra's Brother, Bollywood Veteran Ajit Singh Deol Dies".NDTV.24 October 2015.
- ^Mukherjee, Tastam (9 August 2016)."Spotting Abhay Deol in KK's Pal will be your WTF moment of the day".India Today.Archivedfrom the original on 2 October 2016.Retrieved30 September2016.
- ^"Socha Na Tha".Bollywood Hungama.Archivedfrom the original on 3 October 2016.Retrieved30 September2016.
- ^"Flops galore at Indian box office!".Rediff.8 March 2005.Archivedfrom the original on 21 March 2016.Retrieved7 October2016.
- ^"Box Office 2007".Box Office India. Archived fromthe originalon 8 July 2011.Retrieved17 April2010.
- ^"I want to retain my individuality: Abhay Deol - Indian Express".archive.indianexpress.
- ^"Who is Bunty Chor?".India Today.11 January 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 9 October 2016.Retrieved7 October2016.
- ^Karaganis, Joe (2011).Media Piracy in Emerging Economies.Carolina:Lulu.p. 369.ISBN978-0984125746.Retrieved7 October2016.
- ^"The Inspiration Behind Anurag Kashyap's Films".Rediff.21 June 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 2 October 2016.Retrieved1 October2016.
- ^abNikhat Kazmi."Dev D Movie Review".The Times of India.Archivedfrom the original on 16 May 2012.Retrieved5 February2009.
- ^"I try to fight off labels: Abhay Deol".The Hindu.PTI. 4 March 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 11 July 2011.Retrieved22 June2012.
- ^"Abhay Deol turns item boy in 'Tera Kya Hoga Johnny'".Entertainment.in.msn. 14 December 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 29 March 2012.Retrieved12 July2012.
- ^"Abhay Deol wants to chart the forbidden territory".The Indian Express.Retrieved1 October2016.
- ^Ganguly, Prithwish."Abhay Deol is spitting fire!".The Times of India.
- ^Press Trust of India (27 April 2010)."Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara cast and crew".NDTV.Archived fromthe originalon 18 January 2012.Retrieved28 June2011.
- ^Sharin Wader Butani (10 April 2010)."Abhay making a splash".The Times of India.Archived fromthe originalon 11 August 2011.Retrieved17 April2010.
- ^BOI Trade Network (3 February 2012)."Top Worldwide Grossers ALL TIME: 37 Films Hit 100 Crore".Box office India. Archived fromthe originalon 5 February 2012.Retrieved3 February2012.
- ^"Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara reviews".19 June 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2017.Retrieved27 August2012.
- ^ab"'Chakravyuh' Gets Mixed Reaction; Arjun Rampal Impresses Critics ".International Business Times.26 October 2012.Retrieved1 October2016.
- ^abSen, Raja (8 June 2012)."Review: Shanghai, a frighteningly fine film".Rediff.Archivedfrom the original on 2 October 2016.Retrieved1 October2016.
- ^Kumar, Manoj (10 June 2012)."Abhay Deol's Shanghai Gets Rave Reviews From Film Critics".International Business Times.Archivedfrom the original on 2 October 2016.Retrieved1 October2016.
- ^Thakkar, Mehul (13 June 2012)."Shanghai surprises Bollywood trade gurus".The Times of India.Archivedfrom the original on 2 January 2018.Retrieved1 October2016.
- ^"Shanghai Box Office".Bollywood Hungama.Archived fromthe originalon 16 June 2016.Retrieved29 May2016.
- ^"Abhay Deol to host TV show Gumrah".India Today.21 August 2014.
- ^Keshri, Shwet (15 February 2021)."1962 The War In The Hills trailer out. Abhay Deol's Indo-China war drama looks epic".India Today.Retrieved25 February2021.
- ^"Abhay Deol: 'Spin' is special as it is a departure from my own status quo".mid-day.29 June 2021.
- ^ab"Abhay Deol, Karan Deol's Velle to release on Dec 10 in theatres".18 November 2021.
- ^NDTV (25 October 2013)."Chakravyuh Review".NDTV.Archivedfrom the original on 31 January 2013.Retrieved28 August2013.
- ^Madhureeta Mukherjee (8 January 2010)."Ranbir is India's most desirable".The Times of India.Archived fromthe originalon 11 August 2011.Retrieved17 April2010.
- ^Hiren Kotwani (14 December 2009)."Abhay Deol's new moves".Hindustan Times.Archived fromthe originalon 22 January 2011.Retrieved17 April2010.
- ^Adrija Sen (5 June 2017)."Abhay Deol Doesn't Care If You Call Him a Feminazi, It's Not Going to Stop Him".VAGABOMB.Archivedfrom the original on 2 July 2018.Retrieved1 July2018.
- ^"Abhay Deol slams 'woke Indian celebrities' talking about black lives but not minorities, migrants in India".Hindustan Times.3 June 2020.Retrieved15 July2020.
- ^"Watch the Trailer for What Are the Odds?, Out This Week on Netflix".NDTV Gadgets 360.
- ^"Jungle Cry trailer: Abhay Deol promises a riveting sports drama".The Indian Express.13 May 2022.Retrieved27 May2022.
- ^Ramnath, Nandini (25 May 2013)."Lounge Review | 'Connected Hum Tum'".Mint.
- ^Gupta, Boski."Abhay Deol to host Channel V's 'Gumrah - End Of Innocence'".DNA India.
- ^"Abhay Deol starrer Spin to release in India on this date".The Indian Express.27 July 2021.
- ^"Nominations - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2011".30 January 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 30 January 2013.Retrieved24 May2018.
External links
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