Twenty-five years after ‘Gadar’ was first released, Ameesha Patel has come to terms with the fact that fans will forever see her as Sakina. The actress recently opened up about how being part of a landmark film can shape an actor’s entire career, with audiences finding it hard to separate them from their most iconic roles. At the age of 51, Ameesha reflects on the lasting legacy of ‘Gadar’ and why it is almost impossible to avoid comparisons with a film that has left such a deep mark on Indian cinema.
Ameesha Patel says iconic films define their stars forever
In an interview to India Today, Ameesha said, “Films like Gadar come once in a lifetime. Take Mughal-e-Azam – it continues to define the legacy of its stars. Even today, if you think of Dilip Kumar: o Madhubala, you are thinking of Mughal-e-Azam. Nargis is synonymous with Mother India. Dharamji is remembered primarily for Sholay, and: Shah Rukh Khan for Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. That’s the kind of impact an iconic film can have. “
Ameesha Patel on the other hand delivers a blockbuster
Ameesha believes that only a lucky few in the industry can be a part of a film that has become a cultural phenomenon. “There are certain films which not every actor gets. So, we are lucky to have got it in our lives, that we have an iconic film to our credit. And for Sunny and me, not once but twice. I reached those heights even in Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai,” he said. At the same time, he points out the other side of delivering such a big hit – that every project that follows will be measured against a high standard. “What happens is that people set the benchmark of expectations so high that even if you give hits like Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Humraaz, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd., or you are with Salman in Yeh Hai Jalwa, you give great successes, but there is always comparison because the audience wants it again,” he explained.
Ameesha Patel says ‘Gadar 2’ is needed to break ‘Gadar’s’ record
He clarified that it is unfair to hold every film to the standard of a once-in-a-generation blockbuster. “Today, not every film can be a big, iconic, blockbuster, path-breaking film. I mean, it took Gadar 2 to break Gadar’s record. So that’s what we are talking about. How do you expect any other film to do it? It will be difficult,” he said. He also points out that audiences tend to retain certain characters and moments from iconic movies long after they leave the theaters, drawing parallels with some of Bollywood’s biggest stars. “Even now, for Shah Rukh, when you bring him on stage, you want him to do his iconic pose with his arms outstretched. You still love him as Raj. You still love him. Kajol: said Simran. You still love Madhuri as the ‘Dhak Dhak’ girl. Till now, she is known as Dhak Dhak girl everywhere,” he said.The actress added, “You still think of Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
Ameesha Patel says: Tom Cruise always ‘Top Gun’ for him
Ameesha takes her argument beyond Bollywood, pointing to Hollywood to show that this phenomenon is universal. “To me, Tom Cruise will always be Top Gun. Julia Roberts always Pretty Woman, no matter how good a job she did before or after,” she said.
