Bobby Deol talks streaming success, Aashram, and Aryan Khan’s directorial debut: “It was a bold twist”

In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, Bobby Deol looked back on his three-decade-long journey in the film industry, his transition to streaming platforms, and how The Ba***ds of Bollywood became a career milestone. The upcoming series, directed by Aryan Khan, marks not only a creative turning point but also a fitting tribute to Deol’s filmography.

Celebrating 30 years in cinema, Deol shared how the project feels like a full-circle moment. For one, Aryan’s father Shah Rukh Khan’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment played a key role in reviving his career with streaming projects like Class of ’83 (2020) and Love Hostel (2022). Secondly, the new show centers around one of Deol’s most iconic songs— “Duniya Haseeno Ka Mela” from Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997).

Speaking about the new series, Bobby said, “It worked really well because it’s my song and I’m playing this character called Ajay Talwar, who’s acted in a film called Sailaab within the story. They wanted to connect everything through that. Rajiv Rai was kind enough to give Aryan the rights to the song. We just asked once, and he immediately agreed. He said, ‘For Bobby, I’ll do anything. If Shah Rukh wants anything, I’ll do it.’ That gesture meant a lot.” He added that seeing the song go viral again has been surreal. “Aryan made the song popular all over again. People are loving it. It’s great music by Viju Shah—it has always been an evergreen song.”

Bobby also opened up about his shift to OTT platforms and how it allowed him to take on more layered roles. Reflecting on his role in Prakash Jha’s Aashram, which played a major part in redefining his career, he shared, “When I was approached for Aashram, I didn’t know anything about the subject until I met Prakash ji. Casting director Shruti Mahajan called me saying he wanted to meet me. I’d wanted to work with him for years, but it never worked out until then.” “I assumed he’d offer me the police officer’s role, the one Darshan (Kumar) ended up playing. But after half an hour of narration, he told me he wanted me to play the baba. I was honestly taken aback. Was I hearing that right? Here I was, trying to push myself creatively, and suddenly this opportunity just came to me. I still don’t know what he saw in me, but that role changed everything.”

Looking ahead, Bobby is set for a packed year, including working with Anurag Kashyap on Bandar, debuting in Tamil and Telugu cinema, and wrapping up with Shiv Rawail’s upcoming spy thriller Alpha. When asked whether playing predominantly villainous roles might lead to typecasting, he responded, “I don’t think of it like that. No one’s ever questioned why I’m doing these kinds of roles and not the so-called ‘mainstream’ ones. For me, I’m an actor—and OTT platforms have opened up so many more opportunities.”

As for The Ba***ds of Bollywood, Bobby revealed that Aryan had shared the twist involving “Duniya Haseeno Ka Mela” with him early on, but asked him to keep it a secret—even from his family. “It was a bold move, but it came from a place of conviction. Aryan trusted me to subtly bring those hints into my performance as the story progressed. That trust made all the difference.”

With a resurgence that blends nostalgia with bold new choices, Bobby Deol continues to evolve while staying rooted in the legacy he’s built over 30 years. And as The Ba***ds of Bollywood prepares to release, it's clear that this next chapter may be among his most defining yet.

Also Read: The Ba***ds of Bollywood: Delhi High Court issues notices to makers over Sameer Wankhede’s plea against Aryan Khan and his web -series

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