In the late 1980s, women’s hearts would be set aflutter whenever a Vimal Summer Sensations advertisement appeared on their television screens. Renowned model Deepak Malhotra, who was the face of the campaign, was the reason behind the rising heat in the country. Deepak had it all—a chiselled face, effortless charm, and dapper style. The Aramusk soap advertisements even revealed his Greek God-like physique.
Unsurprisingly, he became one of the most coveted men in the modelling world. Brands from Kwality to Garware Video Cassette were cashing in on his charisma. But far from becoming a legend, the name Deepak Malhotra seems to have been relegated to the deepest recesses of memory for those who recall the 90s. However, the question arises: what did Deepak do that changed his destiny from the big star to the forgotten one? So, without any further delay, let’s retrace his short-lived stint in Bollywood and how it left his career in shambles.
The model-turned-actor’s debut with Lamhe (1991)
Deepak became one of the most prominent faces on runways and TV adverts of the late 80s and early 90s. His stature as an elite model and jaw-dropping good looks led to the movie offers piling up in no time. But Deepak carefully considered his options, not wanting to rush into anything. Eventually, he dropped out of a leading role in Rajiv Mehra’s Chamatkar (1992) for a small supporting role in Yash Chopra’s Lamhe (1991).
The Sridevi-Anil Kapoor starrer had Deepak playing the former’s husband who dies tragically in an accident, leaving her heartbroken. Unfortunately, Lamhe turned out to be a box office failure despite commercial success overseas. But what was most tragic, perhaps, was the impact of the movie on Deepak’s career. What the newcomer had hoped would be a catalyst for his career instead turned into an inhibitor.
When Deepak became a laughing stock because of his infamous ‘Pallo’ moment
Deepak looked striking on screen as expected, but his debut wasn’t well-received by critics. Many criticised his wooden performance and said he needed ‘a better voice’. And long before virality was a concept, the moment Deepak repeatedly called out “Pallo” did indeed become the talk of the town. In the barely 8-second scene, Deepak tries to rouse a sleeping Sridevi by addressing her again and again. However, his monotone dialogue delivery and slight accent made him the butt of countless jokes nonetheless.
The backlash was so bad that it led to him being replaced by Sunny Deol in Darr, which was another Yash Chopra project. Supposedly, Deepak also lost out on the 1992 films Suryanvanshi, Bekhudi, and Junoon. Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Rahul Roy were cast in his roles, respectively. For years, the ‘Pallo’ moment was said to be the reason behind the fledgling actor’s downfall. But his acting career didn’t end with his gig in Lamhe.
Deepak Malhotra’s second attempt in Bollywood after Lamhe
Deepak’s Lamhe performance was so notorious that people often forget that he appeared in another Bollywood flick. He was a lead in N. Chandra’s Tejasvini, playing the love interest of Urmila Matondkar’s character who was framed for a murder. However, Tejasvini was another box office flop, and Deepak’s performance was bashed yet again.
Critics disparaged his “stiff” acting. Audiences trolled him for an unintentionally funny scene in which he begins a tirade about the country’s worsening conditions merely because someone asked him for the cricket scores. And this was the last time he was ever seen on the silver screen. Deepak’s friend, a former model themselves, shared their opinion with The Times of India. They stated:
“Looking good does not guarantee success at the box office, Dino was one such casualty.”
Off-late, some have speculated that it was Deepak’s looks and not his acting chops that killed his career. His look is considered “too international” for that era of Bollywood, with some saying he would have been a fan favourite had he debuted now. The friend mentioned earlier also spoke of the Lamhe debacle. They were quoted as saying:
“Lamhe was his first film, he should have been given a chance and he too should have taken another shot at it, considering that he had never acted before.”
When Deepak Malhotra stepped away from Bollywood and India
Following Tejasvini’s failure in 1994, Deepak Malhotra chose to withdraw from the limelight entirely. The failed actor ended up changing his name to Dino Martelli and moved to the US. He continued to model there but was unheard of in the news. That is until his link-up to former supermodel-turned-fashion show choreographer, Lubna Adam made headlines.
The pair courted each other for 11 years before finally deciding to get hitched. Once married, they settled down in New York’s Upper West Side. It was only through Lubna that people got clues as to what Deepak’s life was like post-Bollywood. He appears to have moved on from modelling to apparel design, owning his own line in NY. In an interview, Lubna once spoke about his feelings towards the US.
“Dino is happy there, his work keeps him really busy.”
The couple, Lubna Adam and Deepak, were married for years and welcomed two gorgeous sons during that time. However, their marital bliss soon met with rough waters and it seems they separated not too long ago. Rumour has it Dino is now romantically involved with Erika Falconeri, a former international model and founder of the Ananda Design label.
Deepak Malhotra’s fleeting acting career is seemingly evidence that mere good looks get you nowhere in Tinseltown. Do you think the handsome hunk could have made it big if he didn’t give up?
Also Read: ‘Gaon Ka Bandha’: When Diljit Dosanjh Revealed He Wanted The World To Know Him, ‘Mere Dimag Mei..’