1980s mega action hero Sylvestor Stallone has just made an amazing comeback and won a Golden Globe for his latest film Creed. Can Sunny Deol, who has for long been India’s definitive action star, also pull off a return to form with his new film Ghayal Once Again?
You have hired Hollywood stunt co-ordinator Dan Bradley for Ghayal Once Again. So what kind of action should one expect from the film?
Ghayal was known for its ‘real’ action and the outburst of my character. For this film, I wanted things will be very real and authentic -- where you feel the pain and it looks dangerous, not funny. I wanted an action coordinator who believes in such action, and luckily I got Dan. He wanted the speed to be right, the ambience to be absolutely real for every shot. We have largely shot in real locations.
The film has been a dream project for you.
I find my Ghayal character, Ajay Mehra, really interesting; and that why I thought of taking it forward. I tried making it with many directors and writers, but couldn’t find any decision. I wanted to make the film because I felt that the situations have not changed much. This is very relevant. Ghayal Once Again is not a sequel.
Since you have also directed this film, how different is the tone and treatment going to be from the original?
When an earlier film did not do well, I wondered where I had gone wrong and that’s when I decided ‘Let me work on a subject which is real to the environment. That’s where I wanted to place my Ghayal.
Do you watch other Bollywood films?
I have not seen many Bollywood films; many a time I haven’t seen my own films! That’s the way I am.
When will your sons continue the Deol tradition and be launched?
Karan will be launched this year as he will turn 24. I will be directing the film. Then we will focus on Rajveer.