Abhay Deol, who’s known for his histrionics, is now ready for action. He will let his fists fly in two forthcoming films, Prakash Jha’s Chakravyuha and a still-untitled project he doesn’t want to announce yet. Post Zoya Akthar’s hit, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), the actor seems to have a new game plan in mind.

Is he now following in the footsteps of his cousins, Sunny and Bobby, and uncle Dharmendra, who are well known for their action films? Abhay denies this, saying, “My game plan has always been to do films that are entertaining and have substance. That’s why I signed Prakashji’s Chakravyuha, which couldn’t haven been more different than the Spanish road trip and the soon-to-open thriller, Shanghai (2012).”

The actor reveals that  he will be doing hardcore action in Chakravyuha, a punch ’em-drama. “I can’t wait to start shooting. It will be fun to do some really cool stunts. I’ve signed another action film, but I can’t divulge details right now. I can only promise that both these films will have smashing sequences as they have a lavish budget for fights. I hope they shape up well on screen since action is a genre I haven’t touched yet,” reasons Abhay.

He adds that he always looks for films high on content that offer him a chance to do something different. “I like to keep my audience guessing about my next step. I don’t want to be saddled with the image of a romantic hero or a comic actor.” Family Connection 1.

Abhay’s uncle Dharmendra earned the tag of He-Man and Action King after some forceful performances in films like Phool Aur Patthar (1966), Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), Dharam-Veer (1977), Krodhi (1981) and Hukumat (1987) to name a few. He could fight a tiger, demolish an army single-handedly and once hit a baddie on the head and sent him sinking halfway into the ground in Loha (1987).

2. Sunny followed in his father’s footsteps, the National Award-winning Ghayal (1990 ) earning him the adage of ‘dhai kilo ka haath’. Arjun (1985), Dacait (1987), Jeet (1996) and Gadar (200) all made him a worthy successor of the
He-Man.

3. Bobby Deol was more the lover boy and the lone Deol without two left feet, but even he has done his share of action in  films like Soldier (1998) and Bichoo (2000), even if he prefers the bullets to blows. Abhay was to join them in Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011), but reportedly refused, saying their action was different from his.