Almost a year since she was last seen in public promoting her film, Hijack, which released in September 2008, Esha Deol created a flutter when she dropped in at Nishka Lulla’s label launch early this month in Mumbai.
The actress, however, didn’t seem to notice. “I did not see any heads turning maybe because I don’t socialise a lot,” says Esha, adding, “I went for the event because I have known Neeta (Nishka’s mother) for so many years. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to interact with friends as there were too many media-persons around,” she added.
But her sudden disappearance after the film’s debacle had many tongues wagging. There were many rumours hinting at rehabilitation, cosmetic surgery, lip infusion, etc. And when she came out of hibernation she became the centre of attraction. With Satyajit Chaurasia (Aamir Khan’s trainer in ‘Ghajini’) as her trainer, Esha, who is a strict vegetarian, looked perfectly toned, especially her biceps and abs.
Rubbishing the rumours surrounding her, Esha said, “Besides discovering the world, I was discovering myself. I was basically catching up on myself and in the process was getting to know my own self better. It was like taking care of me. I was traveling, exploring new places and also busy doing up our bungalow in Juhu,” said Esha, who frequently takes off to the United States with New York, Chicago and Los Angeles being her favourite holiday spots.
“I did a short course in ballet in Chicago. I had learnt the dance form for five years here in India when I was very young. I caught up with my family, friends, too,” she added.
The fact remains that success has been eluding the daughter of two legendary figures of Bollywood for quite some time now and self-admittedly a fresh perspective was the need of the hour for this young actor which prompted her to take a long break. Her forgettable debut in ‘Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe’ (2002) was followed by more recent box office debacles like 'One Two Three' and Money Hai Toh Honey Hai (both in 2008).
“I have been working since I was 18. It was like being in a whirlpool; I wanted to get out of it. Monotony was setting in. Choice and priority doesn’t remain the same now when I am 25-plus. What interested you five years ago will not necessarily interest you today. I felt as if I have suddenly grown up. It was not that I was not enjoying, even the worst of work given to me I have enjoyed,” she explained.
Interestingly, Esha didn’t turn to her superstar parents Dharmendra and Hema Malini when she decided to take time out. “I am old enough to take my own decisions,” she says, adding that she did discuss it with her actor-cousin Abhay Deol.
The Dev D actor, who went on a sabbatical recently, apparently gave her similar advice.“Yes, I discussed with Abhay, we are both equally brattish. He treats me like his baby sister and now that he has also become an actor I consider him as my equal. With the rest I am a bit scared and then I have a younger sister with whom I can't discuss much about films. Actually Abhay is like a buddy. He keeps pushing me into this course and that course. Since he lives close by we hang out a lot. We have more in common, we are very similar human beings. At times I draw inspiration from him,” she said.
Esha Deol video
Besides reading scripts, Esha is anxious about their home production, the shooting for which is supposed to start by this year-end. “Mom had made 'Dil Aashna Hai' many years ago, she wants to revive her home production. We will be producing many more films. I will be able to do more, I won’t be restricted. I am a very ambitious person,” said the headstrong girl, refusing to divulge any details about the project.
