Suggested Topics :
Celebrity Corners | Inside Abhay Deol's Tranquil Glass House in Goa
The actor, who celebrates 20 years in films, lives in a Goan sanctuary that mirrors his journey — one that’s transparent, transformative and certainly ahead of its time.
A glass house nestled in the wilderness, Abhay Deol’s Goa home is full of life. Sound bowls sit ready for meditation on one side of the actor’s living room, while on the other, his DJ equipment promises unforgettable parties. Film scripts lie scattered on his coffee table as his ‘yogashala’ hums with quiet activity downstairs.
That’s where he is — mid-workout with his trainer — looking every bit the part of someone who’s mastered the art of balance.
“I keep myself busy,” he reveals, noting that since he doesn’t jump in and out of projects, he has time to work on himself. “That's what I love about my profession: It's all about character development and reflection,” he says. Deol also paints, he tells us, evident by the empty canvases leaning against the wall.
Read more | Tabu: 'My Journey Isn't an Act of Rebellion'
The Glass House, in Assagao, is the first home he’s built from scratch. “I described it to my architects [Vishakha Dholakia Chowdhry and Muninder Singh Chowdhry] saying, when I’m looking at the person in front of me, I don’t want to see the ceiling — or want any windows,” he explains. With giant glass doors that open right into the forest, he wanted to feel like he was outside when inside — “with no bugs and the AC on,” he adds with a laugh.
Despite a life split between Mumbai, Los Angeles, and global film festivals — most recently for the premiere of Bun Tikki (2025) at the Palm Springs Film Festival this January — Deol chose to put his roots down in the heart of a Goan forest, a plot of land he bought 15 years ago, as mentioned in an interview.
Serene, yet spirited, plush, yet unpretentious — his home is a place to unwind without slipping into idleness. And it doesn’t take long to realise it’s a reflection of the actor himself.
The Rebel and His Cause
Sitting across his long dining table — perfect for hosting his yoga group — Deol talks about completing 20 years in the movies. “I’ve always wanted to be provocative, pick difficult narratives that need to be highlighted,” he says, revealing his plans for the milestone year. “I want to break away from the norm of how we tell stories.”
That’s been his aim from day one — to challenge the establishment while entertaining his audience.
The Deol family has long been a Bollywood powerhouse, with his uncle, actor Dharmendra, leading the charge. But Abhay Deol aims to make the industry a more inclusive and diverse space — a goal he achieves primarily through acting, though he’s since played producer and writer, wishing to get into direction as well.
Read more | Allu Arjun on Success, Stardom and the 'Pushpa' Wildfire
As he continues, a portrait of the actor hangs above, one that was made by his sister Ritu Atwal, he tells us with a smile. This living room is where everyone hangs out — and also where he plans to DJ for his friends later that night.
“Your lifestyle definitely comes into play in the way you deal with situations, people, and your work,” says Deol. “I'm not someone who takes his work home. I was that person early on in my career, and it would define my mood. But I realised it was unhealthy, unnecessary and egotistical.” When a role requires physical transformation, he hits the gym, but otherwise, the actor simply reads his dialogues, leaving the rest up to the director’s vision. “After all, filmmaking is teamwork,” he states.
Also Read | Streaming in Session: 'Black Warrant,' 'Paatal Lok' and OTT's Comeback Arc in 2025
The Diplomatic Actor
On that note, Deol describes working with legendary actors Shabana Azmi and Zeenat Aman as a surreal experience, having admired them growing up. Back then, he was known to expose the wrongdoings of the industry, though he’s “more of a diplomat” today. “The rebellion, which is romantic in the US, is looked upon as disrespectful in India,” he says.
Books and magazines sit in every corner of the actor’s living room — a nod to his insatiable curiosity. Of course, there’s the obligatory giant TV, a must-have for any self-respecting cinephile. Despite his professed diplomacy, Deol is refreshingly candid about the business of the Indian entertainment industry. He knows that it’s about selling what sells; even OTT platforms that came in with a promise of change have their hands tied because of the shareholders they’re answerable to.
Yet, his own filmography is quite diverse. “I don't play favourites,” says the actor. “But the sets on which I had the most fun were Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008). The crew were fun people that I’m still friends with today.”
Deol’s home is a study in minimalistic, purposeful living. There’s no clutter of objects or trinkets vying for attention. Every object — be it the sound bowls, canvases, DJ equipment, books, or even furniture — serves a function. A philosophy that seems to apply to the way he lives his life as well. Well-read and attuned to his audience, he knows what he wants and works to bring about real change with purpose.
Read more | Berlinale 2025 | How 19 Producers Came Together to Back Bengali Film 'Shadowbox'
His Next Chapter
Moving down to a cosy nook underneath a winding wooden staircase, one sees a striking painting by artist Zachary Crane adorn the wall. Ropes dangle from the stairs, setting the stage for the shot as Deol’s yoga instructor steps in. In no time, the actor is suspended upside down in intricate poses while his two dogs, Lulu and Danny, roam the gardens outside.
Wrapping up the shoot, the actor shares that he’s currently reading and developing ideas but hasn’t signed anything so far. “I wish I could work a lot more. But by not defining myself in the norm, I guess, I’ve isolated myself.” Aware that the film industry runs on neatly packaged images, he acknowledges the challenge of being hard to slot.
“I wish I could do a lot more, a lot faster, a lot sooner. I don't fit in that easily so the work doesn't come in that easily either. Maybe if I did…” he trails off with a charismatic laugh.
At 48, Deol has passed the baton of rebellion onto the younger generation. “Young actors have to be cognizant of marketing themselves, which for me is the opposite of being authentic or individualistic.” At the same time, he’s happy the mystique of movie stars is a thing of the past, as it helps them connect with their audience and also holds them accountable for their actions.
Read more | Satyajit Ray’s 'Nayak' and the Unbearable Weight of Being Seen
Much like the striking contrast of his grey walls adorned with a vibrant painting by artist Shilo Shiv Suleman, or the overall industrial aesthetic of a home softened by amethyst stones, Abhay Deol embraces the balance he’s created in life — between rebellion and diplomacy, creativity and introspection. “It's a good life”, he says, drawing our conversation to a close. “I have no complaints.”
To read more exclusive stories from The Hollywood Reporter India's February 2025 print issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest book store or newspaper stand
To buy the digital issue of the magazine, please click here