Ameesha Patel Reflects on Her Bond with Sunny Deol and the Impact of Dharmendra's Passing

Ameesha Patel opens up about her cherished friendship with Sunny Deol, revealing how the loss of his father, Dharmendra, impacted her deeply. She reflects on their professional journey, including her debut in Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai and her return to Gadar 2 after 22 years. Their bond, marked by mutual respect and support, showcases the strength of their relationship in both personal and professional realms. Ameesha's heartfelt memories of Dharmendra, who treated her like family, add a poignant touch to her reflections.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 14, 2026, 04:21 IST

Ameesha Patel's Deep Connection with Sunny Deol

Ameesha Patel holds her friendship with Sunny Deol in high regard, expressing that the loss of his father, the legendary Dharmendra, felt like a personal tragedy for her. The 50-year-old actress, who portrayed Sakina in the iconic film Gadar alongside Sunny's character Tara Singh, is grateful to the Deol family's production house, Vijayta Films, for allowing her to star in Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, her debut film with Hrithik Roshan. In a recent interview, she shared insights about both films and her decision to reprise her role in Gadar 2 after a gap of 22 years.

The Strength of Their Friendship

Ameesha's Friendship with Sunny Deol

In an exclusive interview, Ameesha expressed, "Sunny and I have supported each other through difficult times. I’ve always told him that it doesn’t matter if others want to work with him or not. I’ve said before that if Sunny asked me to play a tree in a movie without any lines, he’s the only actor I would do it for. He understands that our friendship is enduring, both personally and professionally."

Sunny Deol's Support in Her Career

How Sunny Deol Helped Her Sign KNPH

Ameesha revealed that she had already committed to a project with Vijayta Films, known for hits like Betaab and Ghayal, when Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai came into the picture. She recounted, "Before Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai came along, I had signed a film with Vijayta Films. When KNPH was offered to me, I approached Sunny and asked him to release me from my contract. He immediately tore it up and told me to go ahead. He’s incredibly supportive," she shared. "Our mutual respect and love for each other is profound, and our bond as Tara and Sakina is truly special."

Reuniting for Gadar

Reuniting in Gadar

Interestingly, Gadar marked Ameesha's second film, which she signed six months after filming KNPH. She noted, "Sunny and I were meant to work together. During the second schedule of Gadar, shortly after KNPH was released in January 2000, Sunny was thrilled about the success of my debut film at the box office."

Dharmendra's Influence

Dharmendra Called Her 'Ameesha Deol'

Reflecting on her relationship with Sunny's father, Dharmendra, who treated her like family, Ameesha expressed her sorrow over his passing, stating, "When Dharam ji passed away, it felt like a personal loss for me. Although I didn’t interact with him frequently, he always regarded me as 'Ameesha Deol' and made me feel part of the family."