Veteran actor Dino Morea, celebrated for his roles in cult films like 'Raaz' and 'Aksar', has recently expressed immense admiration for the resurgent careers of his contemporaries, Bobby Deol and Akshaye Khanna. In an exclusive conversation, Morea highlighted how the digital era has dramatically transformed the mechanics of fame and audience reach for actors in India.
Applauding a Well-Deserved Resurgence
Speaking candidly, Dino Morea did not hold back his praise for the powerful impressions left by Bobby Deol and Akshaye Khanna through their recent performances. He specifically pointed out Bobby Deol's impactful role in the blockbuster 'Animal' and Akshaye Khanna's standout work, particularly in 'Dhurandhar', which he found more striking than in 'Chaava'.
"The way Bobby has got his chance to shine in Animal and Akshaye has got his chance to shine, especially in Dhurandhar more than Chaava, is incredible," Morea stated. He emphasized that the recognition and viral sensation both actors are currently enjoying is completely deserved and a true testament to their enduring talent.
The Pre-Social Media Stardom: A Different World
Reflecting on his own peak years in the early 2000s, Morea drew a sharp contrast between then and now. He recalled the massive success of films like 'Raaz' (2002) and 'Aksar' (2006), which cemented his place in Bollywood. However, he noted a crucial absence: the omnipresence of social media.
"When I had Raaz as a success or Aksar as a success, there was really no social media, right? So, people saw the movies and still remember me from then," he explained. The feedback loop was slower and more organic, with audiences in theatres from villages to top-tier cities driving a film's reputation through word-of-mouth.
Digital Age: Faster, Wider, and Viral
Dino Morea astutely observed the paradigm shift brought about by the internet. "Today, people don't see a film, but they are all over the internet. And that spread is faster and wider," he remarked. He acknowledged that if a performance like those delivered by Deol or Khanna were to happen today, the internet would amplify it at an unprecedented speed, creating instant, widespread craze.
He humorously yet poignantly added, "If I had to do something like Akshay or Bobby did today in a certain role, I think that would spread really fast through the internet. And I would probably have the same craze that they are having today." Morea expressed genuine happiness for his colleagues, celebrating their brilliant work finding its rightful audience in this new era.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Dino Morea, who made his Hindi film debut opposite Rinkie Khanna in the 1999 film 'Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi', continues to be warmly remembered for his iconic roles. Audiences, he shared, still associate him strongly with those early successes. The actor is now gearing up for his next project, 'Four More Shots Please Season 4', where he will share screen space with Kirti Kulhari, Sayani Gupta, Maanvi Gagroo, Bani J, Prateik Babbar, Neil Bhoopalam, Rajeev Siddhartha, and Lisa Ray.
His insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of stardom, from the theatrical era to the digital age, where talent, when coupled with the right platform, can create viral sensations overnight.
