As this latest Bollywood drama captivates audiences over the Independence Day holiday period, we hear from the lead stars – Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel – who are reprising their roles for this much-hyped sequel to ‘Gadar: Ek Prem Katha’.
Which was the very first scene for both of you?
Both - The introduction scene, which was shot in Palampur. Tara and Sakeena meet after so many years.
How are the characters evolved in this film?
Sunny: In this film, there are moments that might evoke emotions, but I won't reveal anything more. All I can say is that the family's story continues, the son has grown up, and we are pretty much the same.
Ameesha: We went to the (TV show) ‘Bigg Boss’ finale, and Salman saw both of us. He said in his own style, 'What the hell, you and Sunny are just frozen in time. You stepped out of the Gadar 1 set and came to the Gadar 2 set.' So, I think that's a great compliment, and I think it could be because of our positivity.
In these 20 years, have there been any changes in the characters, or are they exactly the same?
Sunny: The characters remain unchanged, but the times have evolved, and we have progressed over these years. We live in the contemporary world, engaging with the present circumstances. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the 1971 era, a period when India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were undergoing significant events. The narrative is crafted within that context. Pathankot is present, Tara Singh is present; it's a border town, and the love story originating from there
Ameesha: Tara Singh is no longer just a truck driver; he has ascended to the position of a company owner with a fleet of trucks to his name. Behind every successful man, there stands a woman. In Tara's case, it's Sakeena.
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Which is your favourite song?
Ameesha: Besides Main Nikla… I believe Udd Jaa Kaale Kaava holds a special place. The film introduces a couple of new songs that take the story forward. They are very emotional, there are tear jerking moments with Khairiyat. I don't think Sunny ji and I needed any glycerine in any shot to perform because song itself evokes mountain of emotions.
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How have things changed in these 20 years, in terms of narration, shooting, and style?
Sunny: Nowadays, you can't hide anything. Cellphones are always behind you. We were shooting, I remember, right from the start in Palampur. We were investing so much effort, and yet, we had to showcase it to everyone out there.
Although we managed to control most of it, Zee took it down, removing it from the internet. But I couldn't comprehend it. When we were young, we attended school and our parents reprimanded us. There was discipline, a set of dos and don'ts. Now that we're adults, who will reprimand us? When will we apply our intelligence? What's right, what's wrong.
Ameesha: Certainly, the filming style has evolved over the years with advancements in cameras, but the heart of ‘Gadar’, the essence, remains unchanged. ‘Gadar’ is a soulful film of its era. That's why it's probably one of Bollywood's highest-grossing films. Because it touched everyone's hearts. The characters of Tara and Sakeena, their names are on everyone's lips. Today, you watch a film on Friday, and by Saturday, you forget the character's name. But I think that the timeless quality of ‘Gadar 1’, that essence, I believe we've retained it in ‘Gadar 2’.