Bobby Deol, his Salman Khan-inspired Race 3 body bursting out of an all-black outfit, is taking questions for Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se. The third part of this action comedy franchise co-starring Papa Dharmendra and bade bhaiya Sunny Deol releases tomorrow. But Bobby still has a Race 3 hangover. Can’t blame him. The action thriller of Eid raked in over Rs. 300 crores at the box-office and revived the industry’s interest in Bobby. He’s now working on Housefull 4. Another franchise, this one of the rom-com genre.

“After Race 3, I’m back in the race,” he says. “But this time the pressure is not going to bog me down. It’s a high. And that’s what I’ve been dying for. People are looking at me differently now. They are excited to see  me wherever I go.” It is true. People are also hoping to see Bobby strip off his shirt like he did in Race 3 and show off his chiseled physique in YPD Phir Se. He’s in awesome shape. But that’s not going to happen. “Salman warned me,” he laughs, adding modestly, “but I am shy, I don’t enjoy doing this.” What he’s certainly enjoyed doing is pairing up with his father and brother again for the Deol family drama series. The first YPD (2011) was a hit. But YPD 2 (2013) was a disaster. The Deols are a family of indefatigable Jats. They are back five years later with YPD Phir Se. “This film is special. The second part wasn’t up to the mark and it took us years and a hard search to find the right script. Hopefully, everybody will have fun Phir Se,” Bobby says.

Excerpts from the interview

YPD Phir Se has you reuniting with your father Dharmendra and elder brother Sunny for the fourth time after Apne, YPD and YPD 2...

I am really excited to be doing a film with Papa and bhaiya after so long. Papa’s character in the film is so interesting and funny. I am waiting for the audience to see YPD Phir Se and react to Papa’s role.

Which is your favourite film with your father?

Apne is the closest to my heart. That was the first full-fledged role I did with Papa; it was a dream come true. Even my 30-second appearance in Dharam Veer (1977) is a memory which I will cherish forever. After Apne, everyone went to Papa and said, “Aapne humein bahut rulaya.” So we decided to make YPD to cheer up his fans. To double the dose of laughter we made YPD 2. But it upset people. In the end, we took our sweet time to make YPD Phir Se with the right script. Hope the audience love it.

"I don’t enjoy going shirtless"

Your father has made many memorable films. Are you keen to remake any of those classics?

I always wanted to do Pratigya. And I have been looking for someone to help us recreate the same magic because Pratigya had lovely characters. Then Papa’s Chupke-Chupke and Satyakam are also on my list. For the longest time, I wanted to do Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971). When I was a boy, it was my favorite film. But later I realized Sholay (1975) had almost the same storyline. One had Jabbar Singh, the other had Gabbar. So I dropped that idea.  But Pratigya is definitely on my priority list.

Recommended Read: I’ve made YPD Phir Se only to make people laugh, says emotional Dharmendra

Whose idea was it to recreate Dharamji’s chartbuster Rafta Rafta?

It was Salman’s idea to get Shatrughan and Sonakshi Sinha and Rekha in one frame. For Rafta Rafta, Salman was most excited as he loves Papa’s songs.  They are alike. Even Papa feels so. Salman’s way of giving and caring bears an uncanny resemblance to my father. And Salman is a great fan of Papas. I know the audience would love to see them saath mein. The last time they came together was for Sohail Khan’s Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya in 1998. In YPD Phir Se, Salman’s character ‘Mastana’ adds a new twist to the YPD story.

"After Race 3, I’m back in the race"

So, will there be a Yamla Pagla Deewana Mastana next?

Anything is possible. But nothing is concrete. I would love to do a film with Salman and all of us. It will be so much fun. I am sure the audience will enjoy it too. One day it might just happen. But main zyada bolunga toh log kahnege ki Bobby ne bola hai… 

The Deols are not known for aggressive film promotions. This time it has been different. Why?

Everyone is doing it. If you don’t, you are left behind. Social media has changed the game. Look at Papa, he loves his Instagram and Twitter interactions. He stays at his farmhouse and is busy posting pictures of his cattle and plants. He loves nature and is excited about sharing his life with his fans. Even I’m enjoying Instagram. This is the only way I can connect with my fans. I realized the hard way in the last four years that if you stay in the shadows, you will be forgotten. You have to be in everyone’s face. It’s all about getting comfortable with the idea. But in comparison to others, we Deols are still shy. I didn’t even have a PR until now. Ab toh the game has changed.

"I always wanted to remake my father's Pratigya"

What's next for you now? Is Salman producing a film for you?

He is trying to work things out and looking for the right script. Nothing has been locked yet. Offers keep pouring in every day. But I don’t want to do a film which will push me back. I need to pick those which benefit me. I am starting from scratch, I feel like a newcomer because I suddenly stopped working and now I  am back in the game. I am enjoying the process and looking forward to films each day with a positive mind. But apart from Housefull 4, I am not shooting for anything.

Web series is the flavour of the season. Are you going to explore the genre?

No one has offered me anything. Hopefully, someone will give me a meaty role. But I have my reservations because web series are mostly dark and heavy. I want to do light-hearted, family entertainers.