Bobby Deol’s 30-Year Comeback Story: From Forgotten Star to Fan Favourite
After years of struggle and silence, Bobby Deol has risen stronger than ever, redefining his legacy with hits like Animal and Aashram while offering a grounded take on fame, family, and nepotism.
Bobby Deol has completed an incredible 30 years in the film industry — a journey filled with dizzying highs, painful lows, and one of Bollywood’s most inspiring comebacks. In the late ’90s and early 2000s, Bobby was unstoppable with back-to-back hits like Barsaat, Soldier, Gupt, Humraaz and Ajnabee. But the magic eventually faded as films like Kismat, Bardaasht, Jurm, Tango Charlie, Humko Tumse Pyaar Hai, Shaka Laka Boom Boom and Chamku failed to leave a mark. After Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 in 2013, Bobby’s career went quiet — he didn’t sign a single film for four long years.
Then came the turning point. Post-pandemic, Bobby Deol stormed back into the limelight with Aashram and later Animal, where his powerful yet minimal performance as Abrar Haque took audiences by surprise. The man once written off as a “’90s star” was now being celebrated as one of Bollywood’s most magnetic comeback stories.
In a recent interview, Bobby spoke candidly about the debate around nepotism. “There are so many actors whose kids came into the industry but didn’t succeed,” he said. “My father was an outsider, and I was just blessed to be his son. But it’s your work that speaks for you, not your surname.”
He also pointed out that being a Deol doesn’t guarantee success. “Even my brother’s sons haven’t had it easy. Just because they’re Sunny Deol’s sons and Dharmendra’s grandsons doesn’t mean their careers took off. They have to work hard — and they are doing that.”
Bobby revealed that his elder son, Aryaman, is not being launched by him yet. “I’m waiting for the right script. I’ve told him to work hard on himself because the industry has changed. The audience wants honesty and depth from new actors,” he said.
Reflecting on his recent resurgence, Bobby admitted, “Sometimes, things don’t happen when you expect them to. But suddenly, after 22 years, my brother gave Gadar 2 and I got Animal. I always had a gut feeling about it, but I never imagined the craze it created. People went crazy — it felt surreal.”
For Bobby Deol, this second innings isn’t about chasing stardom again — it’s about gratitude, growth, and proving that persistence always pays off. At 30 years in, he’s not just enjoying success — he’s owning his story.
