I have done limited work, but fortunate to be part of successful films in the ’90s

Ever since actor Deepak Tijori donned the director’s hat, he has stayed away from being in front of the camera. Though he is making a comeback of sorts with Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 playing Sanjay Dutt’s younger brother, he says that there are no regrets when he looks back upon his journey.

“I feel blessed in my career. I might have done limited work, but I was fortunate to have been a part of certain successful films from the ’90s, including Aashiqui (1990), Anjaam, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (both 1994), Khiladi and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (both 1992),” says Deepak, adding that he’s looking forward to act more now and get “meatier roles”.

While Deepak has worked with top actors such as Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan among others, he never made it to play a solo lead in a film. Asked if he ever wished that his career shaped up the same way as it did for these actors, Deepak promptly replies, “No. I made a choice [to stop acting] knowingly that I wanted to be a director and it was quite easy in my head when I started moving in that direction.”

Though Deepak has worked in quite a few films, people still remember him as Shekhar Malhotra from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (JJWS). Does that make him happy? “(Laughs) I am shocked with the way it [the film] is still played on channels. There’s a whole generation gap [25 years], but it is JJWS that keeps Shekhar still alive and kicking with this generation, which is surprising and amazing,” shares Shekhar.

Going down memory lane, he adds, “When we shot JJWS, it was so much of hard work with workout, physical training and cycling in different parts of the country. And, after 25 years, seeing the audience still reacting to the film proves that the director’s vision was absolutely amazing.”

Deepak Tijori is making a comeback in front of camera with Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 where he is playing Sanjay Dutt’s younger brother