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Sunny
Says His Eclipse Is Temporary
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 When
Sunny Deol took to direction, it was a major
decision, because he had been going great guns as an
actor. But his debut film as a director, Dillagi',
failed to generate any interest at the box-office
and was severely criticized by the critics After
this, 'Farz' and 'Champion' were released, but Sunny
could not bring all his diehard fans to the cinema
halls. Now he is at a crucial point in his career.
The much-talked about 'Gadar--Ek Prem Katha' is all
set for release next month, and Sunny hopes that it
will prove a turning point. He talked to Smashits
recently about his career and his future plans.
It's been a long time since any of your films had
countrywide success. Do you think that you are
running into bad weather as for as success at the
box-office is concerned?
No, I don't think so. I don't think that my
career is at a low. I agree that there may have been
some recent flops, but every artiste undergoes highs
and lows. I don't feel that my career is at stake.
My position in the industry as an actor is very safe
and I have films like 'Gadar--Ek Prem Katha', that I
trust will do more for me than what 'Ghayal' or 'Ziddi'
did.
But isn't it true that you have called it quits
as a director?
I have not taken retirement as a director. It is
only that I am not going to direct any film for the
present. I have been around for the last two
decades, acting in so many films: whether it is
action, comedy or romance. So, I thought that I had
enough experience to make a film and therefore
ventured to direct 'Dillagi'. Whatever might have
been the result, I enjoyed making this film.
S o,
in the near future we are not going to see your
father Dharmendra, you and kid brother Bobby
together in a film, as you had announced at the time
Dillagi was released?
No, that film is on hold for the time being. We
have announced other projects like 'Indian', 'Deva'
and 'Sheesha' under our banner and are working very
seriously on them. In fact, 'Indian' is almost
complete and I plan to release it around
Independence Day (15th August).
Is it the same film that you shelved once?
Yes, it's the same. In fact, we did not shelve
the film but had just stopped working on the
project. Actually, at that time Kamal Hassan was
making a film, 'Indian', in Tamil and he was
planning to release it in Hindi as well. So we
thought that as our film would follow, we might run
into trouble. We didn't want our film's fortunes to
be affected by Kamal Hassan's film. But, later he
released his film in Hindi as 'Hindustani'. So we
again started work on our project. This is one film
that is going to touch the hearts of the masses.
You said that you are working on three home
productions. But Bobby has not been cast even in a
single one of these. How come?
Please don't jump to any conclusions. Bobby is
not in these films because he was not needed as per
the requirements of the stories. And, moreover, he
was busy with other projects. We did not want to
engage Bobby and then ruin the schedules of other
producers. Bobby may appear in one of these films in
a guest role.....
'Gadar--Ek Prem Katha' being a period film, do
you think that it will pull in the crowds?
Wasn't 'Border' a period film? Didn't it pull in
the crowds? What matters to the success of a film
are its story and presentation. I think Anil Sharma
has done a brilliant job as a director in this film.
Zee has spent a lot of money to give the film an
authentic feel. Everyone has worked very hard and I
am sure that the 'feel' of the film is strong enough
to pull in the crowds.
 It
is being termed as the "first corporate
film". What is your comment on this? Do you
think that it's going to make any difference to the
way the industry is working at present?
I think it's a good beginning to systematize film
production. Everything is worked out in advance and
everyone is paid by cheque. So there are no hassles
about dates and payments. It makes for a very
healthy atmosphere to work in. I am happy that the
film industry's face is changing. I can only hope
that more and more companies come forward to make
films like this and start working in a more
organized way.
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