The action-entertainer Champion (2000) completed 25 years on December 22. The film is memorable as it was the debut film of Rahul Dev. In his first film, he worked with Sunny Deol and just a month later, he was seen in Aashiq (2001), which featured the former’s brother, Bobby Deol. Over the years, he worked with both brothers in multiple films. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Rahul Dev opened up on this aspect.
Rahul Dev said, “I had only two good friends in the business. One is Bobby Deol and the other is Aftab Shivdasani. These are my ‘beyond the work hour’ friends. At one point, Bobby and I were very, very close. Now, we don’t meet frequently as we both are busy with our respective work. My date diary is filled till June next year, for instance. Thank God for it. Karna padega as I missed five prime years when I took a sabbatical.”
When asked more about Bobby Deol as well as Sunny Deol, the dashing and talented actor said, “My bond with them is very comfortable. I identify with them a lot. I am also a Punjabi. So, I am also a foodie and our habits are similar. My brother Mukul Dev, Bobby had very overlapping habits; they were happy to not exercise or exercise less.”
Rahul continued, “Bobby and I did 4 or 5 films together. They had offered me Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011). At that time, I was feeling low due to the loss of my wife. I was a single parent and hence, I was facing great difficulty. They approached me 3-4 times and every time, I declined. Then Bobby called me and said, ‘Tu yeh role kar. Bhaiya wants you to do it. He told me that Rahul ko bolo; woh role karega’. Even the director (Samir Karnik) tried to convince me. I told them, ‘I request you to cast my brother. He has a great sense of humour’.”
Rahul Dev further stated, “The role wasn’t that exciting on paper. But Mukul walked away with all the laughs. After the release, Bobby said, ‘Tune best kiya (by asking Mukul Dev to do the film)’. He also joked, ‘Main life mein tere saath ab kabhi kaam nahin karunga’ (laughs).”
Rahul Dev told Bollywood Hungama earlier that he was often slotted for villainous roles. Hence, his cameo in Sunny Deol’s highly successful Indian (2001) stands out. Rahul’s character, Pratap, at first seems like a criminal. But soon, he turns out to be a positive character. The casting worked as it tricked the audience into believing that Pratap would be a baddie, only for them to be surprised later.
Rahul Dev agreed, “Yes, it was a reverse casting. I didn’t want to initially do the project as there was no role. It was a cameo. But then Sunny bhaiya came on the phone and I have deep respect for him. I was lucky with Bhaiyya and the makers Indian as not a single shot of mine was chopped from the film.”
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Rahul Dev talks on 25 years in film industry: “I signed debut film Champion reluctantly…then I had hundreds of offers”; talks about comeback in 2015: “Had to restart with Bigg Boss though I was not cut out for it”; drops truth bombs for strugglers: “Six-pack chhod, workshop kar!”
The post EXCLUSIVE: Rahul Dev says, “Bobby Deol, Aftab Shivdasani are my ONLY good friends in the industry”; reveals that Bobby, Sunny Deol approached him 3-4 times for Yamla Pagla Deewana: “I declined as I was feeling low due to wife’s demise; I recommended…” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
