The Ba**ds of Bollywood star Bobby Deol opens about battling inferiority complex during career dip, his comeback journey and next projects

Bobby Deol, who recently garnered appreciation for his performance in The Ba**ds of Bollywood, opened up about a difficult phase in his life when he grappled with feelings of inferiority. In Aryan Khan’s series, he played superstar Ajay Talvar, a role that earned him critical acclaim.

Speaking on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Bobby spoke candidly about his struggles during a rough patch in his career, admitting to moments of insecurity and self-doubt. He shared, "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. I felt like no one really wanted to talk to me or give me any importance. 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."

Although this period was emotionally challenging, Bobby said it gave him valuable perspective. As he explained, “Failure has made me realise that nothing should be taken for granted. 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.”


Bobby Deol began his acting journey with Barsaat in 1995 and went on to win hearts with films like Gupt, Soldier, Ajnabee, and Humraaz in the late ’90s and early 2000s. His career slowed in the mid-2000s, but he staged a strong comeback with the web series Aashram. Since then, he has been praised for his impactful performances in Class of '83, Love Hostel, Animal, and Netflix’s The Ba**ds of Bollywood*.

Upcoming Project: Alpha

On the professional front, Bobby will next be seen in Alpha, co-starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari. Produced by Yash Raj Films, the movie is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 25, 2025.

[With TOI inputs]