EXCLUSIVE: Bobby Deol On Race 3, Housefull 4 – Did Them For Recognition, Wasn’t Doing What I Wanted As An Actor!
Bobby Deol is proof that no matter how tough the journey gets, persistence can truly pay off. In an exclusive chat with Instant Bollywood, the actor spoke straight from the heart about his career struggles, his comeback, and how he had to completely reinvent himself when the world seemed to have moved on.
Bobby Deol Reveals Salman Khan Asked Him ‘Shirt Utarega’ For Race 3?
“When I was going to do Aashram, I was really trying to change my image,” Bobby shared. “I felt stuck because Bobby Deol was a star back in the day, and maybe people thought I wouldn’t take on the role. Nobody was coming to me with offers, no matter how hard I tried to get a good character role.”
It is hard to believe that an actor who once ruled the screens was suddenly struggling for good roles. Bobby admitted that it was a frustrating phase, but it also pushed him to take risks and explore new things.
He recalled, “Then, I tried something different with a film called ‘Poster Boys,’ directed by Shreyas Talpade. I was really working to do something unique. But that movie didn’t take off.” Even though Poster Boys didn’t become a major success, it was clear that Bobby was willing to step out of his comfort zone. He was determined to evolve as an actor, no matter how many setbacks came his way.
“Little by little, I kept working hard on myself,” he said, describing how he stayed focused even when success seemed far away. Then came a major turning point that he remembers fondly — a call from none other than Salman Khan.
“I got a call from Salman Khan, whom I affectionately call ‘Mamu.’ He asked, ‘Are you ready to take your shirt off?’ I said I was ready to do anything. So he told me to come over to his house the next day, and he gave me a job (Race 3).”
EXCLUSIVE: Bobby Deol On Race 3, Housefull 4 – Did Them For Recognition, Wasn’t Doing What I Wanted As An Actor!
This moment was special not just because it led to Race 3, but also because it showed how Bobby’s willingness to hustle was finally paying off. He revealed that he had been actively meeting people, knocking on doors, and asking for work. “I started believing that I had to knock on doors, and I needed to discipline myself. I had to be prepared because if an opportunity came my way, I had to be ready to seize it. That’s how side projects started happening, manifesting and my journey slowly began again.“
This change in mindset made all the difference. Bobby did not shy away from doing films that helped him reconnect with audiences, even if they weren’t the meaty, intense roles he dreamed of.
“Then I landed a role in Housefull 4, but those were the kinds of movies where I wasn’t really doing what I wanted to as an actor.“
He admitted he took up such projects strategically. “I did it to build my recognition with audiences, because Salman is one of our biggest stars, and millions of people go to see his films. They’ll see Bobby Deol in the movie and realize, ‘Oh, there’s this actor Bobby Deol.’ The new generation didn’t really know me that well.“
Today, Bobby’s hard work, humility, and patience have finally paid off. Whether it is the intense Baba Nirala from Aashram or his gripping performances in Animal, Bobby Deol has successfully reintroduced himself to an entirely new audience. His story is a shining example that no matter where you are in life, it is never too late to start over and create the future you want.