Abhay Deol accuses Film Directors of ‘Manipulating’ Him

Abhay Deol has spoken about the negativity of being honest, revealing that some film directors took advantage of it to get ahead in life.

The actor made his Bollywood debut with Imtiaz Ali’s Socha Na Tha in 2005 and has appeared in over 20 films since then.

But he believes that throughout his career, his trusting nature has been taken advantage of.

Reflecting on his career, Abhay believes that being honest is not always a good thing.

He explained that he used to be naive but that has changed.

Abhay said: “Honesty is not necessarily the best policy.

“I’ve always tried to be who I am, what you see is what you get!

“When you wear your heart on your sleeve, you can also be reactionary.

“I’ve been taken advantage of, manipulated and gaslit by directors I worked with! There’s a narrative about you, that’s false.”

Admitting that he made mistakes, Abhay continued:

“I’ve made mistakes not just in trusting people I shouldn’t have but also in being honest!”

“There are directors who don’t have your best interests at heart and are just using you to get ahead in life but I had to experience those people otherwise I would be this naïve, idealistic kid, reactionary too, oblivious to the fact that there are people who harbour ill will!”

Despite his comments, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap previously said that it was “a painful experience” to work with Abhay Deol.

The pair worked together on the 2009 film Dev.D.

In 2020, Anurag said: “I don’t really have great working memories with him. And haven’t talked to him much since I finished shooting.

“He wanted to do artistic movies but also wanted the mainstream benefits. The benefits and luxuries of being a Deol.

“He would stay in a five-star hotel while the entire crew stayed in Paharganj for a film that was made on a very tight budget.

“Also the reason a lot of his directors went away from him.”

Abhay Deol was last seen in the 2021 film Velle.

He will next be seen in Jungle Cry, which is based on the lives of 12 underprivileged and orphan children from Kalinga Institute in Odisha and their triumphant journey to the International Junior Rugby Tournament held in the UK in 2007.