Another Deol on the block!

The latest to join the 'we are family' bandwagon is Abhay Deol, cousin to Sunny and Bobby Deol.

His debut film Socha Na Tha (opposite Ayesha Takia, who made her debut in Abbas-Mastan's Taarzan-The Wonder Car) releases next month.

Vickey Lalwani caught up with the newcomer who was a bundle of nerves. Excerpts from their conversation:

"Actually, I was on a different track. I was into fine arts, doing cartoons and sketches," Abhay said. "But seeing my brothers, Sunny and Bobby, I changed my mind. I guess the glamour bug bit me. Vijeta films decided to launch me. What else could I ask for?"

He went on to do an acting course in Los Angeles, followed by a course in voice modulation. "That helped me loosen up. I am not camera conscious now. Without the course, I might have been," he explains.

So, did he approach Vijeta Films for the big break, or did they come into the picture on their own? Abhay answers, "I went through some auditions where Imtiaz Ali (director of Socha Na Tha) selected me. At that time, he was in touch with another producer. When I told Sunny, he wanted to meet the director and hear the script. Sunny liked it. And Vijeta Films took it up from there."

The youngster, who feels that Sunny performed best in Ghayal and Damini, and Bobby in Kareeb, does not want to get pinned down to a particular image. "I want to do all kinds of roles. An image restricts an actor. I would love to play grey shades as well," he said.

He continues, "Whatever I do, comparisons between Sunny and I, and Bobby and I, are bound to come up. Comparisons are unfair but inevitable. So it's advantageous as well as disadvantageous if one belongs to an actor's family. I may have got a break on a platter, but there is pressure on me to live up to the Deol calibre."

In Socha Na Tha, Abhay plays a US-return, who often lands up in a soup because he doesn't tackle life's problems directly.

"In real life, I meet every situation head-on," he clarifies. "I want to make it big. I will not lie and say that I am flooded with offers. I did get some offers but nothing exciting. Wish me luck!" he exclaims.