For Bobby Deol, one of the biggest personal changes in recent years has been his decision to give up alcohol. The actor, who previously spoke about a rampant addiction, said that this choice arose out of both professional and personal conscience.“For an actor, your body, your face, are the commodities you sell. I can’t mess with that,” she told Esquire India, adding, “As I grow older, I feel tired faster than I did a few years ago. I have to take care of myself more.”
‘I don’t miss it at all’
Having completely given up alcohol a year and a half ago, Deol admitted the transition was easier than expected. “I’m not losing. In fact, I keep thinking, wait, was this easy?” he said “Two birthdays and two New Years have passed. And I haven’t felt like it. That surprised me.”The change has affected not only his health, but also the atmosphere at home.
“It has improved my relationship with my family”
Reflecting on the decision, Bobby Deol said seeing his father Dharmendra struggle with similar issues had a lasting impact. “I’ve seen what he can do,” he said, adding that he didn’t want the same for himself.What simplicity has brought him, he explains, is a sense of presence. “More than anything, it has improved my relationship with my family”, he said, and emphasized that it has allowed him to be more present – with his sons, at the dinner table and in everyday moments.In an industry that often romanticizes excess, Deol believes moderation is the bravest path.
“Ain’t nobody got time for bad behavior anymore”
Also, the actor spoke about the evolution of the industry over the years, especially in terms of professionalism.“One of the biggest differences between the ’90s and now is that nobody has time to do all that anymore,” he said. “It’s so expensive—every day of shooting is such a cost—that nobody’s going to put up with bad behavior. Maybe they’ll let it slide once or twice, but if you’re going to be difficult, they’ll bring someone else in.”He added: “There are some actors, and I’ve come across some who are still misbehaving, but I feel so sad for them. I’ve seen this story before and trust me, eventually they’ll stop wondering why things went wrong, why the phone stopped ringing and why they’re so lonely. You can’t throw tantrums and expect everyone to be okay.”
Remembering his father through memories and moments
At the end of the conversation, Deol returned to Dharmendra’s thoughts. “You know, I keep seeing her booths on Instagram,” he said. “He was so honest … so full of warmth. Sometimes I feel like he’s talking directly to me.”She shared that fans often send her old photos of her father, unexpected reminders that bring comfort and nostalgia. For the preview of Ikkis, Dharmendra’s latest screen appearance, Deol chose to wear one of his father’s favorite shirts.“She would wear it everywhere,” she smiled. “So I took it out and wore it to the premiere. I felt like it was with me.”
“Loss has a way of bringing a family closer together”
Grief, he admitted, has also brought him closer to his half-sisters. Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.“I feel like we’re all coping in our own way. Sometimes you misunderstand each other because you hurt… everyone feels their pain is more than others,” he said, before adding, “But you give it time. Let it heal… Loss has its own way of bringing a family closer.’
‘Ab tu khud ko pehchaan gaya’
Deol also recalled a rare moment of recognition from his father in the later years of his career. As Dharmendra’s health began to decline, there was a reassuring sense of closure knowing that both he and his brother Sunny had found their footing in the industry again.Dharmendra, not one for overt praise, expressed his feelings in a simple yet profound way. After a release from Deol, she told him, “Ab tu khud ko pehchaan gaya.”For Bobby it wasn’t an applause, it was something much more meaningful: a father’s recognition.
