Actor Abhay Deol will next be seen in the upcoming film 'Bun Tikki,' where he will share the screen with Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, and Lin Laishram. In a recent interview when discussing his return to the big screen with the film which is directed by 'a non-binary, openly queer director’, Faraz Arif Ansari, he was asked about his views on sexuality. The actor rejected the "Western way" of categorising sexuality, and spoke about the importance of a more fluid and inclusive approach.
Abhay Deol on not defining his sexuality
In a conversation with The Dirty Magazine, Abhay said, “As a spectrum. I refuse the Western way of identifying sexuality because it's so black and white. The Eastern approach is so different, it recognises the whole of us. I don't define my sexuality, and this might sound controversial but for me it's not something that I think can be defined."
"We are all they/them"
"I think it's more for the other person's comfort, so that they can put you in a box, neatly slot you. Why should I define myself in Western terms? I have embraced all experiences in my life and I continue to do so. I don't know how to label that, I don’t want to label that. All of us have a masculine and feminine within us, so in my opinion we are all they/them," he continued.
Deol on masculinity
Deol also shared his perspective on masculinity, stating, "The ability to make people feel safe and included" is how he defines it. He views himself as a protector and provider but is open to stepping back and allowing a woman to take charge if she chooses. "I would happily give up my sense of taking charge and leading to a woman too if she wanted to take charge and lead," he said.
Deol also said that he spends most of his time at his home in Goa. Additionally, he has been spending considerable time in Los Angeles over the past nine years, enjoying the anonymity it offers.