Abhay Deol reveals why he took a break from Bollywood after Dev D: 'Didn't want to be famous'

Abhay Deol moved to New York before Dev D to escape fame but entered a self-destructive phase. He later returned to India, realising acting mattered more than stardom and responsibilities awaited.

Abhay Deol/Instagram

Abhay Deol moved to New York before his 2009 feature Dev D was out. At the height of his career, he stepped away from Bollywood. Despite this, the actor travelled to India shortly after the release of Dev D. Abhay revealed in a recent interview his break from acting, saying he didn't want the notoriety and attention that accompanied being a public personality.

Abhay Deol's struggles with fame and public attention

Abhay told Humans of Bombay that he relocated to New York soon before Dev D. came out. The actor claimed that he started getting memories of when he was a child, so he was finding it difficult to handle with the attention and recognition. Abhay hated the attention since he was a sensitive child. The medium, art, and inventiveness appealed to him. Though he knew Dev D was going to be huge, he didn't want to become well-known. Abhay wanted to act, nevertheless, at the same moment.

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The actor went on that he felt a struggle within himself. He concentrated much on the drawbacks. He rushed away as he hadn't fixed many problems and was terrified of being well-known and all that went along with it.

Growing up in a film family

Actor-director Ajit Deol and Usha Deol are parents to Abhay Deol. He is also a cousin of Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and Esha Deol and nephew of seasoned actor Dharmendra. Regarding growing up in a film industry, he remarked that the luxury he perceives for himself growing up in a film environment is that he saw fame upfront as a youngster and he was never charmed by it. Many will first pursue something, and after they reach a pinnacle, they often get bitten, but he was already bitten. Abhay knew it would depress him but wondered how he would negotiate this space; he knew nothing about how to do it.

The actor said that there was no right or wrong; it was absolutely a trauma reaction; still, it is unavoidable. He has no regrets about that, and acting was more important than fame.

Self-destructive phase in New York

His move to New York was not easy either since the actor went into a "self-destructive" stage. Speaking about that year, he admitted that he knew it wouldn't last forever, as he was simply indulging himself. The actor proved to be quite damaging and some performers bring their job home. It's a technique for learning not to be influenced—not today, either. He brings his work home not at all. One should stop treating yourself so seriously and simply enjoy the luxury of being an actor. But that did not transpire at the end of that year. If anything, as the year went on, he grew increasingly destructive.

When Abhay glanced at the business, he simply remembered the horror as a child and thought of the events his Tayaji and cousins had gone through. Their words, their tales, and their system of thought, all of which reflected their times. Though there is nothing glamorous about it, it is known as a glitzy business. Every worry he had was present and he just wanted to leave.

Realisation and return to India

Regarding his choice to return from New York, Abhay remarked that he knew he wasn't going to stay there. He was only in New York for the role he played in Dev D where he was wasting time, not working, and mismanaging money. It was in that sense a waste. Despite the potential harm, he no longer considers it a waste, as he has gained valuable knowledge. The actor wanted to get back home and continue supporting his family and me. One has obligations; they have to return, as this is a fantasy planet. He understood it was only a temporary refuge, not a permanent one.

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