Abhay is a lazy talented actor: Anand L Rai

Mumbai: Director Anand L Rai feels Abhay Deol is a brilliant actor and should work in more films.   "Abhay is a very fine and brilliant actor. I have worked with him in 'Raanjhanaa' and I have liked his work in films like 'Dev D', 'Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!'. He is choosy about the film he wants to do. It is his choice when he wants to do a film," Rai told PTI.   "He is a lazy talented actor and I often tell him that. He does a film, then he goes somewhere and then makes a comeback. I told him to keep working and that the directors need him."   Rai has now come up with "Happy Bhag Jayegi", starring Abhay and Diana Penty, slated to release next week.   Diana's debut film "Cocktail" had released in 2012 and post that she took a break.   However, praising the actress, Rai said, "Diana had taken a sabbatical from work. She is very hard working and she brought in freshness to the film."   Even Abhay was last seen in "Raanjhanaa" which released in 2013, but the 45-year-old "Tanu Weds Manu" helmer isn't worried about his lead actors missing from screen for quite sometime.   He rather feels the pair of Abhay and Diana is looking fresh.   "Happy Bhag Jayegi" is the story of a girl (Diana Penty) running away before her marriage and how she accidentally lands in Pakistan. Rai came on board as a producer for the film.   "I loved the humour, the comic element. It's a cross border light-hearted romantic story without politics attached to it," he said.   Rai gave complete liberty to director Mudassar Aziz in making the romantic-comedy.   "I gave freedom and space to the director to follow his vision. I was available to him whenever he needed me to give suggestions," he said.   Rai is quite happy the way the film has turned out.   "I have seen, it's a nice fun film. I am proud to be associated with this film as a producer," he added.   Produced by Rai and Krishika Lulla, the film also features Ali Fazal and Momal Sheikh in the lead roles. It releases on August 19.