EXCLUSIVE: Ameesha Patel says Anil Sharma wanted Mamta Kulkarni for Gadar

Ameesha Patel also revealed that Nitin Keni, who was the head of Zee at that time, chose her for Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.

By Keyur Seta -

August 30, 2023 - 1:53 PM IST

Ameesha Patel has had a happy 2023 as her film Gadar 2 has become a historic blockbuster. The same was the case with the first film in the series Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001), which also starred her, Sunny Deol and Utkarsh Sharma. But not many would know that the film’s director Anil Sharma was considering to cast someone else for the role as he wasn’t aware about Ameesha Patel.

EXCLUSIVE: Ameesha Patel says Anil Sharma wanted Mamta Kulkarni for Gadar

In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, Ameesha said that she credits Rakesh Roshan and Nitin Keni, who was the head of Zee during Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, for her start in the industry with Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai and Gadar. “Mr Rakesh Roshan had faith in me for his son’s debut (Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai). Mr Nitin Keni, who was the head of Zee earlier, was the one who chose me for Gadar and instructed Mr Anil Sharma to cast me as Sakeena. Mr Anil Sharma was totally unaware about me and that’s why he wanted to cast Mamta Kulkarni for the role,” said Ameesha.

Apart from Keni, the actress is thankful to Sunny Deol for her performance in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. “I am very grateful to Sunny Deol, my favourite co-star, who helped me with my scenes during the film,” said Ameesha.

She added, “When the film released, it was me who was the plus in the film on the release date with Sunny since he was always a superstar. But I was also a sensation at that time because of Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. I won the audience’s over with my performance in Gadar and eventually became the number 1 star of Bollywood post that film. I give the credit for my career only to Mr Rakesh Roshan.”

Coming back to Gadar 2, the movie recently crossed the Rs. 450 crores mark at the Indian box office. It is now in race to enter the Rs. 500 Crores Club.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: “Will reject Gadar 3 if Tara and Sakeena are not there much together,” says Ameesha Patel