Traveling is all about re-living one's life: Film Director, Abhinay Deo

Though he belongs to a family of actors, Abhinay Deo never had the inclination to follow in their footsteps. In his early days he joined the world of advertising at O&M. An Indian commercial director turned film director of repute his first Bollywood film Game released in April 2011 and later he directed Delhi Belly released in July 2011 which turned out to be a huge success.  Before directing commercials, he graduated with a degree in architecture. The ad filmmaker turned director, has an impressive creative portfolio with about 450 ad films to his credit. He is currently directing and co-producing the famous international series '24'.

Abhinay is also a passionate traveller and a foodie.  He loves to travel and try out different cuisines. In an exclusive interaction with Adgully, he shared it all, about his favourite destinations, places he has always wanted to visit and his other interesting travel experiences.

Following are the excerpts from the interaction:

Fox Travellers Diary (FTD):  If there is one place you can keep going back to for a holiday, where would it be?

Abinay Deo (AD): Bali.

AD: It gives us an opportunity to taste great and new dishes all the time, visiting incredible places also helps us to learn a lot and the third is it allows us to meet new people.

FTD:  When you travel, what is a must carry for you?

AD: I am a big time foodie and love to carry my stomach (appetite) with me wherever I go so that I can taste all kinds of dishes.

FTD:  When and where did your best holiday happen?

AD: I think till date my best holiday has been in Bali where I went diving. I learnt diving there and it has been an incredible experience for me.

FTD: As a traveller, what is your tip for the others?

AD: One important tip I want to share is that whenever we travel, we end up going to tourist places which we have seen in films or read in books, but apart from that we should actually experience and feel the place, the local people and the local food.

FTD: A colleague/co-worker from your industry with whom you would like to go on a holiday.

AD: I would want to take my son with me on holidays since he is 14 years old now. Apart from him I would want to take Kapil Sharma of Comedy Nights with Kapil with me, as he is an interesting person and there would never be a dull moment in his company.

AD: Me and my son had crocodile in Mauritius while sitting in a Crocodile park which was delicious. Also had live insects when in Thailand, but did not enjoy it.

FTD: What and where has been your best bazaar bargain so far?

AD: I think in Austria. We met a Pakistani, a tour operator and convinced him to give us a discount on the sound and music tour. He actually consented and so I and my friends got a great discount.

FTD: Which is the most unique destination you have ever visited till date. When and why?

AD: There are loads of places I would want to visit, but one place I am dying to visit is Norway.

FTD: Tell us how you have managed to make a journey fun.

AD: I believe that life itself is a journey, and when you travel it's like re- living your life and living a parallel life. Life is all about travelling, learning and opening your senses to the outdoors and that's what makes a journey fun.

FTD: An incident that occurred during your travels that you would like to share.

AD: I was travelling in Italy and my 2000 dollars were stolen which left me with nothing.

FTD: What has been your worst travel moment? Why?

AD: I haven’t experience one till date. 

FTD: What is the best souvenir you ever bought for anyone?

AD: The best souvenir for me has been my first ticket bought for my holiday to Singapore. It embarked me on a never ending journey because since then I have been just travelling. 

Disclaimer: The views expressed are purely in the personal capacity of Abhinay Deo as a travel buff and has no bearing and/or correlation with his official role; Images, courtesy: Abhinay Deo