Bobby Deol On Working With Vijay In 'Jana Nayagan': 'Being So Big, It's Amazing How Quiet And Simple He Is'

In an exclusive conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India on July 21, Bobby Deol revealed working with Tamil star and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on the set of their upcoming Tamil title Jana Nayagan. He also shared his views on stardom in the South.

During the conversation, the actor revealed that Jana Nayagan was shot primarily on studio lots because of the stupendous stardom surrounding Vijay. "It's a fact. No work will happen if you take him on the street. He's that big," says Deol.

Though Deol admits he has had little interaction with his co-actor, he describes Vijay as "a very simple man. very quiet, very much to himself," despite being a big star. The actor also opens up about the language barriers on set, admitting that though he could never understand much of what was being discussed, he was always helped by the director.

Headlining titles like the Telugu film Daaku Maharaaj, Deol is no stranger to South fandom. Asked if he finds stardom in the South to be "larger than life," as compared to Bollywood, "there they worship the actors," he says. "It's amazing how united they stand for the film industry."

Deol recalls the time he used to play in the Celebrity Cricket League alongside Mohanlal, and how the stadiums would be at full capacity because of the fan-filled busses that would arrive. "That's the difference regionally, and how united they stand for their actors and the film industry," he feels.

Jana Nayagan was scheduled to release earlier this year on January 9, timed to meet Pongal festivities and positioned as Vijay's farewell to cinema before his political debut with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party. However, the certification process ran into delays, pushing its release to July 23.

"He doesn't do too many promotions or interviews, but that's how he likes it," says Deol, going on to recall a brief conversation he had with the actor. "One day he told me he has done a remake of one of my films. I think it was Soldier." Villu, Vijay's 2008 Tamil film alongside Nayanthara was a remake of Deol's 1998 movie Soldier.

Directed by H. Vinoth and produced by Venkat K. Narayana under KVN Productions, Jana Nayagan stars Vijay and Deol alongside Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj and Narain.