Money matters more than creativity in Bollywood: Sunny Deol

Mumbai: Actor Sunny Deol says even though he and director Rajkumar Santoshi have made critically acclaimed films, including the National Award winning `Ghayal` together, investors feel the duo is not "commercially viable".

"Film industry is now market-driven. You need to be seen, talked about rather than be known by the movies you make," Sunny told reporters. Speaking about directors Rahul Rawail and Santoshi, with whom he worked in movies like `Arjun` and `Dacait`, the actor said the two have done good work with him. "Rahul is not doing any work now. Raj and I are planning but don`t know when will it happen. We may or may not work together. Investors feel Raj and I are not commercially viable that is why projects are not coming in," the actor said. Sunny, who debuted with `Betaab` in 1983, said his career had taken a backseat in the last few years because of his illness as he suffered from a severe backache. "I was out of the country for nearly six months every year (in the last few years). I realise that over the period a lot of things have changed and there is so much that I have not done," the 53-year-old actor said. Sunny said for him and his family, movies are their only PR (public relations). "Now actors have to be seen and written about. We are unable to do that and never will," he added. Sunny said he was not happy with the present day movies. "Everything is for money and creativity has taken a backseat. Marketing has taken precedence over the content. Old movies were ahead of their times. Earlier producers had passion for movies, but now a days its only about money," he said. The actor is also disappointed that entertainment has become costly. "When ticket prices were less, there was a lot of turnover. Ticket prices have gone up and the number of audiences has reduced. Multiplexes have taken away the charm of the silver screen," he added. Sunny, who turned director with `Dillagi` in 1999, is raring to go and catch up with the lost time in Bollywood. "Our company Vijeta Films is starting our new film, `Yamla, Pagla, Deewana` starring my father (Dharmendra), (brother) Bobby and me. It is going on floors next month. The film is directed by Sameer Karnik. It is out and out a comedy film," the actor, who is growing a beard to be seen in the role of a Sikh in the film, said. Sunny is also doing a T-series film with Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut, being directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru. "It is an interesting love story. I am also doing an action film for Vijeta Films with Neeraj Pathak," he said. The actor said his plans to rejuvenate the Vijeta banner which is going slow because of the current economic downturn. "Big companies are keeping quiet. Investors are not coming out," he said. Neeraj Pathak`s `Right Ya Wrong` starring Sunny will release next month. PTI