Anil Sharma would smack Ameesha Patel on her back for her role as Sakeena in Gadar

Director Anil Sharma, who helmed Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Gadar 2, recently revealed choosing several actresses for his lead heroine Sakeena’s role. However, the 65-year-old also asserted that he was turned down by many heroines for different reasons.

In a conversation with Bollywood Thikana, the ace filmmaker asserted how he had to settle for newcomer Ameesha Patel for the 2001 film. He also revealed how the actress needed training in performance. Much to the filmmaker’s satisfaction and relief, the Gadar actress submitted herself to the process.

Anil Sharma on making period films

Anil Sharma said in the interview that the industry still has ‘hang-ups about period films’ due to their unglamorous nature. Talking about a heroine who agreed to do the film, the director added that ‘she asked for too much money’.

At such a cost, Anil Sharma added that the studio had to choose between her and Amrish Puri, as they could only afford one. He added, “I told them I needed Amrish Puri, because his character is pivotal in the Pakistan portions. In addition, the film couldn’t have been made without him. So, I decided to find a new heroine.”

Anil Sharma on Ameesha Patel’s audition

In such a scenario, actress Ameesha Patel was auditioned over a period of two days. Not just this, he shortlisted her along with around 10 other newcomers. While another actress made the cut, she (Ameesha) was a better performer but didn’t look the part.

Although Anil Sharma was concerned about whether Ameesha would be able to pull it off, he decided to proceed anyway. He said, “She was as fair as the moon, which is what I wanted; she came from a rich family, which was also significant. Yes, she had issues with her diction, but we could dub her.”

Anil Sharma on Ameesha Patel’s education

Speaking about Ameesha Patel’s growing years, director Anil Sharma continued that she studied in Boston and grew up in south Mumbai. In addition, she used to travel in a Mercedes and wear solitaires. In such a situation, how would she understand a woman from 1947, the director thought.

Calling her ‘raw’, he added that she wasn’t a bad actor. He said that Ameesha was just raw and she needed work. Unknown to the fact that whether she would be willing to put in the hours, he admitted that ‘she’s the most hard-working, beautiful student’.

Anil Sharma on rehearsals

Talking about the rehearsal part, Sharma added that Ameesha Patel would rehearse five hours every day for six months, going over every dialogue and scene hundreds of times. He further added that whenever she used to walk with her head held high, he would smack her on the back. This was to prepare Ameesha for her part as women of that era had a slouched posture.

About Gadar and Gadar 2

The first installment, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, a 2001 romantic period action-drama, starring Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel in the lead roles, was a huge box office hit. The sequel, released in August this year, did even better business. As per reports, the film minted Rs 524.75 crore in India. Currently, it is the third-biggest Hindi movie in India behind Shah Rukh Khan’s starrers Jawan and Pathaan.

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