Few actors in the history of Bollywood have played the role of a villain like Amrish Purithe best performers like Mogambo and Ashraf Ali is etched in the memories of moviegoers. However for Amasha Patelco-starring in the iconic film ‘Gadar: Ek Prem Katha’, the late actor represented something more than just a screen presence, he was a person whose warmth and personality left a deep and lasting impression on him.
Ameesha Patel on Amrish Puri: ‘He was a toy to work with’
Looking back during the filming of ‘Gadar: Ek Prem Katha’, Ameesha painted a picture of Amrish that was more universal than the scary characters he is known for, describing him as a cheerful and fun person on stage. Speaking to India Today, he said, “Oh, I miss Amrish ji so much. The scary part was not because of him – he was a toy to work with. He was very intelligent, funny, and had a wicked sense of humor, which you wouldn’t think of the kind of Mogambo and Ashraf Ali who did.”“
Ameesha Patel in her first scene in ‘Gadar’
What makes Ameesha’s best memory even more interesting is that her early days in the film were not easy. Considering that films are not usually shot in chronological order, he found himself thrown in at the very end with a time-lapse event near Puri. “That opposite show was my first show in Gadar, and it was opposite Amrish ji. I was wiping bricks. I was shaking. But it was so amazing to work with him. He made it easy for me. He didn’t make me feel like he was this great actor and I was just a new fool. Nobody knew (about) Kaho Naa Paar,” said Hai.
Ameesha Patel plays Sakina
Ameesha went on to explain the immense weight that came with stepping into Sakina’s shoes for such an important role, revealing how she had to mentally process her whole life before facing the camera. “In my mind I had to tell myself that Sakina finished school, went through Partition, separated from her family and thought she was dead. She got married and settled in India with human poles without her – an uneducated Jat, who doesn’t speak English. He was accustomed to Hindu ways and had a seven-year-old son. I had to stand opposite Amrish ji carrying all these changes within me. So it became very difficult. “
Ameesha Patel in action with Amrish Puri
Although it was difficult to meet such an iconic actor, Ameesha admitted that working opposite someone of Puri’s caliber ultimately pushed her to perform better. “But great actors elevate your experience. Because they do so well, they give you the motivation to do so well. To be honest, you’re nervous, but it makes it easier,” he added. Beyond the memory of Puri himself, Ameesha also had good words for his wife, who was an inspiration during Lucknow. “His wife was also very beautiful. She was on the sets in Lucknow when we were shooting the scenes, and she always put everyone at ease,” he recalled.
Ameesha Patel recalls what Amrish Puri did on the sets of ‘Gadar’
One memory that brings a smile to Ameesha’s face is a lighter moment from the Amritsar schedule, where the director. Anil Sharma expressed his concern at the actor’s slim figure amid the frenzy of the crowd. “There was a huge crowd at Amritsar station and even criminals came out because people came to see us. Anil Sharma got into the makeshift car with a big box of sweets and said, ‘Sakina madam, eat these laddoos. You have to wear heavy clothes. Sakina looks happy, so the heroine should be like this,’” recalled Patel.
Ameesha Patel on Amrish Puri: ‘It was like a father protecting his daughter’
He recalled that actress Lilette Dubey and the rest were sharing jewelry when Amrish Puri walked in and gave a formal comment that left everyone in splits. “Amrish ji quietly held Anil Sharma’s back and said, ‘Yes, yes, the hero must eat laddoos, but Sakina is fine. Come on, shoot.’ I started laughing. It was like a father protecting his daughter in real life – ‘Leave her alone, let her be.It was very beautiful. These are some of the best moments I have shared with these actors, and they will stay with me forever. If I could go back in time and go back to those sets, I would love it”, he said.
What’s next for the ‘Gadar’ franchise?
‘Gadar 2’ was released in theaters 22 years after the original “Gadar: Ek Prem Katha”. And the franchise doesn’t stop there, director Anil Sharma recently confirmed that “Gadar 3” is also in production.