The star of the acclaimed series ‘The Ba*ds of Bollywood’ opens up about how years of professional setbacks led to deep self-doubt, social anxiety, and a newfound respect for success on Raj Shamani’s podcast.
MUMBAI: Actor Bobby Deol, who is currently riding a massive wave of acclaim for his recent performances, including the role of superstar Ajay Talvar in the Netflix series The Ba*ds of Bollywood, recently spoke with stark candor about a challenging phase in his life marked by crippling self-doubt and an inferiority complex.
During a detailed conversation on Raj Shamani’s popular podcast, Deol reflected on the highs and lows of his film journey, admitting that his professional slump severely impacted his personal and social life.
The Struggle with Self-Doubt
The actor revealed that during a particularly difficult five to six-year period, his self-worth plummeted, prompting his own wife to question his negativity.
“My wife used to ask me, ‘Why do you think so little of yourself?’ During those five to six years, I genuinely didn’t think highly of myself. Even at parties, I would stay in a corner, avoid the spotlight,” Deol shared.
He explained how the perception of his diminished career made him feel insignificant in social settings. “I felt like no one really wanted to talk to me or give me any importance. Jab main jaata tha, mujhe waise bhi importance nahi milti thi (When I used to go, I would anyway get no attention). I would just stand there. If someone happened to come by, I’d say hello. But I’d notice how people always hovered around those they thought were important. It used to affect me,” he confessed.
The Invaluable Lesson of Failure
Despite the emotional toll of feeling inadequate, Deol stressed that his career setbacks ultimately taught him an invaluable lesson in humility and gratitude.
“Failure has made me realise that nothing should be taken for granted,” the actor stated. “Success came to me, and then it was gone. If I ever let it get to my head again, it’ll slip away—and hurt even more the next time.”
A Resurgent Career
Born into a prominent film family as the son of legendary actor Dharmendra, Bobby Deol made a successful debut with Barsaat in 1995, following up with hits like Gupt, Soldier, Ajnabee, and Humraaz in the late 90s and early 2000s.
However, his career saw a decline in the mid-2000s, leading to a period of limited work. His powerful comeback was spearheaded by the acclaimed web series Aashram, where he played the lead role of the sinister godman ‘Kashipur Waale’ Baba Nirala. This performance was followed by other critically appreciated roles in Class of ’83, Love Hostel, the blockbuster film Animal, and his recent critically praised turn as superstar Ajay Talvar in the satirical drama The Ba*ds of Bollywood, directed by Aryan Khan.
Looking ahead, Deol is set to continue his successful second innings with the Yash Raj Films production Alpha, where he will star alongside Alia Bhatt and Sharvari. The movie is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 25, 2025.