My last relationship solidified my positive view on love: Abhay Deol

Abhay Deol opens up about his break-up with Preeti Desai, his disappearing act and his plans to produce more films in the future.

Where have you disappeared again?
I've been travelling, can't stay put for too long in one place. Also, I have just finished building a house in Goa for which I have been researching green technologies for homes for the past one year. But I'm back in Mumbai now.

Why this periodic need to take off?
It's good to drop off the map from time to time. It helps me reassess and understand my life better I suppose. I also like to discover and explore new territories. Travelling, taking time out, adventure, are some of the best ways to experience being alive and I'm usually better and wiser after my experiences. Well, at least I hope so!

What about the fans?
(Laughs) It helps that people miss me rather than forget me!

Every time you take off, there are persistent rumours that you have quit Bollywood. How do you reassure your producers?
Ha ha yes, I do hear this every time I take time out. I don't know why that is so. Perhaps the impression is that fighting the system is taking its toll on me.

Why would you say that?
Well, most of my fanbase comes from the independent work that I have done. I get asked all the time, how I manage to make the independent films in this environment. So I cant help but wonder.
Anyway, to get back to the earlier question, most of the producers I have worked with know that I haven't quit, and the ones who want to work with me will reach out anyway so I may not have to 'reassure' them. But if there was something I can do to get rid of this impression, I would do it.

There have been endless speculations about Preeti Desai and you. It's said that the break-up was bitter and you are no longer friends...
No, not bitter but break-ups are never easy. And being in the public eye, the speculation would be there for all. I didn't react to what was being said then and it would be even more unnecessary to indulge in that now.
It's news to me when you say that people are saying we are not friends. Oh well, life moves on and the truth doesn't change to suit the fantasies of others.

What's your current take on love and relationships?
Hai, ab aur kitna bolun iss topic par!? It's good to love and there's nothing more beautiful than a fulfilling relationship. My 'take' on this has always been this. It doesn't change after break-ups. In fact, many things of my last relationship solidified my positive view on 'love and relationships'.

Your post on Facebook, Sex Nothing To Be Ashamed Of, after the raid in a hotel in Madh Island when couples were picked up randomly, made a real impact.
Making us feel ashamed of ourselves through sex is the oldest and easiest trick in the book. People all over the world have been doing it for generations. In fact, it's gone from being a trick, to becoming a culture by itself.
It was introduced through religion at one time, and the only way for many to enforce it today is through laws. Ironically, many of the more puritanical views on sex aren't even a part of our Vedic texts. Our history shows we had a scientific way of living and if you want to speak specifically about sex, then that too was looked upon as being natural.
It's no coincidence that our mythology is peppered with details of the sex lives of our Gods. It's normal to worship the penis in our country. So then, why is sex demonised so often?
The answers lie in our culture... In the day-to-day lives of people in our country. Indulgence of any sort is harmful. And ironically, it comes exactly for that very thing which we are trying to sweep under the rug.

You sold your Juhu house. Looking for a new property?
Really? When? Ha ha, this story comes from some fabulous bit of journalism done by one Mumbai daily. I tell you, some journalists should write for Bollywood.

There's been talk of a huge Indo-China co-production with Amitabh Bachchan and Jackie Chan...
Haven't heard back from the Indians or the Chinese.

And will Roland Joffe's longdelayed time travel romance, Singularity, your Hollywood debut, also featuring Josh Hartnett and Bipasha Basu ever release?
No comments.

And what's happening with the other international project, the plan with Bounty Hunters, the thriller he was co-producing with UK-based Colin Burrows?
No comment.

What's the status quo on Snafu?
Exactly that!

There's also an Anubhav Sinha production, Hunkaar...
Too early to talk about it.

People still remember Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Any talk of a sequel?
Please call Zoya and tell her, in fact demand that she make it! I will fully back you.

You were working on a script. Will we see it translate on screen?
(Laughs) I'm always working on a script. I lucked out with Dev.D. I have a couple more which I will bring out when the time comes to share them with the world.

Planning to produce any more films after One By Two?
Oh yes, lots more!

Any new and exciting projects?
Many, the next two years are going to be very busy for me. Hmmm, perhaps that's why I take off from time to time. And every time I return, I dive back into it with a vengeance.