Sunshine moments
ZIYA US SALAM
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‘Fool N Final releasing today has emotional significance for Sunny Deol.
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"Fool and final" is a fun, fun, fun film. There is action but not the usual kind.
Photo: S. Subramanium
Still Hercules Sunny Deol’s new movie might be a comedy but his macho image remains intact.
“Fool N Final,” Ahmed Khan’s film where Sunny Deol has tried his hand at comedy might be releasing this Friday but it is unlikely to make a dent in his screen image.
He is still this well toned macho man, a kind of Hercules who can do no wrong. The moment he enters the screen, the masses whistle, clap and shout: Bhai maar!
In a way he is a mirror reflection to their aspirations: he does what they aspire to do, and cannot hope to do. However, look a little carefully.
Shy Man
Sunny, for all his 20-odd years in Bollywood, is a shy man. Not known to open up to many people, he is an introvert. Though many mistake that for aloofness, he is actually quite an emotional soul.
Says Sunny, “I cannot change as a person. I am an emotional man. I get sentimental at times. Ek aadmi jo hai so hai. But I believe people like my action image also because they find in my character a wonderful human being who
has been cornered and decides to hit back. Even in ‘Gadar,’ that character is involved in the attack only to protect. I don’t think ‘Gadar’ would have been so successful had it not been a romantic, an emotion-driven story.
An emotional bonding is always so strong.”
Talking of emotional bonding, Sunny has come up with the ultimate proof with “Apne,” an Anil Sharma film where he unites with dad Dharmendra and brother Bobby. A much cherished dream being fulfilled: Sunny had talked about it in the run-u
p to the release of “Gadar” in June 2001!.
“Yes, this was my dream to get a really good project for us, a script which would be focussed on our dad. ‘Apne’ is that kind of film for which I had waited so long. It is a film that will appeal to all: it is a very family-family fi
lm. You will find many films with three stars but to have that emotional bonding is absolutely rare. When I shot for those scenes where dad embraces Bobby and me, it was cool. But when I look back now on the screen, I get that lump in my throat, that fee
ling of nostalgia that yes, this is the moment I was waiting for.”
The film, Sunny concedes, “is so close to me that I cannot analyse it dispassionately. It is a very personal film, it will always remain so irrespective of what happens at the box office.”
What, however, he is dispassionate about is his dancing, rather non-dancing! He still has two left feet when it comes to the dance floor! “At the beginning I was quite conscious about my inability to dance. I was actually scared of dancing. But
then as my films worked, the audience did not seem to mind. So, I thought, well if the audience don’t mind my not being able to dance, why should I?”
Incidentally, earlier in his career, Sunny was tutored by Ahmed Khan to learn his dancing steps. Ahmed now has turned a director, and “Fool N Final” is an important film for him. He is still “that ‘bachcha’” for Sun
ny though. It also marks a departure from the stereotype for the man who started his career with “Betaab” and has along the way shown the patience befitting a monk! He is neither an emotional fool here, nor is he the usual action hero in the
film.
“It is a fun, fun, fun film. There is action but not the usual variety. Yes, I did this film for Ahmed. Many years ago he had come to teach me dancing steps, and I thought, “What! What will this kid teach me?”
Yes, Ahmed did fail to teach Sunny dance steps but he did not fail to do what to get Sunny to sign the film. “He came with the idea a few years ago and I could not say no to him. I hope the audiences get to laugh and enjoy the film.”
With “Fool N Final” it is a Sunny beginning to June and it is likely to end on a Sunny note too with “Apne” slated to release on the last Friday of the month.
“It has worked out that way. But I would rather have it end on a note of a Dharamji film. No son would want it any differently. Nobody wants to walk a step ahead of the father or grab the limelight. I am content being behind him.”
Dad’s film
But normally, all Sunny films begin the credits with his name. “No, not this time. If somebody were to even try, I would get angry. ‘Apne’ is my dad’s film. It is made for him. I am happy being in the shadows when it comes to m
y dad. Recently, even when he came in a small role in ‘Metro’ he was appreciated. ‘Apne’ is a film that will appeal to all our fans. I am happy we could make the film.” Prepare for spotlight on the Deols this summer!
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