Director Anil Sharma has revealed that the actress Kajol and Aishwarya Rai he was among the actors who approached Gadar: Ek Prem Katha before the newcomers Amasha Patel then he was chosen as Sakina. The filmmaker also explained why several popular actors opted out of the film and how Ameesha’s dedication made her a good choice.Speaking to Shubhankar Mishra, Sharma refuted the belief that Kajol was the first and only choice for the film.
‘We spoke to Kajol and Aishwarya Rai’
When asked if Kajol was originally supposed to star opposite Sunny Deol, Sharma said, “Not exactly. There has been a theory that Kajol will do Gadar. We spoke to Kajol. We also spoke to Aishwarya Rai. In fact, talks were going on with many actors.”He said that several actors and actresses heard the script but hesitated to come forward.“A lot of people heard the story, but they didn’t understand it. Some didn’t want to work with me, some didn’t want to work with Sunny Deol, and some didn’t want to do a period film.”
‘People want top foreign films’
Reflecting on the industry’s mindset in the late 1990s, Sharma said foreign films dominated Bollywood.“In 1998, everyone wanted beautiful films that were shot in Switzerland or London. The overseas market was very important. Since Gadar was traveling around India and Pakistan, many people were skeptical. Films of that time were not considered commercially attractive at that time. Everyone wanted exciting and romantic films. That is why many artists, including actors, rejected the film.”
Why Anil Sharma chose Amrish Puri on the main heroine
The filmmaker revealed that budget constraints also affected the filming process.“Zee told me, ‘Sunny Deol is already on board. We have a fixed budget. Within that amount, you can cast Amrish Puri or a great heroine.’Sharma said his decision was made recently.“I said, ‘I will choose Amrish Puri because Pakistan is Amrish Puri in this film. The soldier can be a new youth. The role is so powerful that whoever plays it will be a star.'”Following this decision, the team evaluated approximately 400-500 potential actors before naming 12 finalists.“Ameesha Patel was among the 12 girls. At that time, Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai was yet to release. His shooting had just begun.
‘People still call her Sakina’
Sharma appreciated Ameesha Patel’s dedication to the project, saying that her dedication was unmatched.“Ameesha worked very hard. She was one of the most dedicated actresses I have ever worked with. For six months, she would come to meet me every weekday from 2 to 5 pm to prepare for the role.”He added, “She changed a lot to become Sakina. Because of her efforts, even today, people don’t call her Ameesha Patel – they call her Sakina.”
‘An actor does not control anything’
Reflecting on Ameesha’s career after Gadar and Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, Sharma said success in the film industry depends on a combination of talent, experience and luck.“No one knows how life will change. Sometimes it’s because of your own mistakes, sometimes because of circumstances, and sometimes because of fate.”He also said that actors have no control over how a film is made.“We identify films with actors, just like we identify music with musicians. But the truth is that no one has complete control. If the director decides to take a bad approach during the editing process or make the film wrong, what can the actor do? An actor can give a great performance.”Praising Ameesha once again, Sharma concluded, “Getting Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai and Gadar was destiny. Those films were amazing. What Ameesha did was to justify that belief by working hard. Both these films will always have a place in the history of Indian cinema.”