<p>When we arrive at his office at five in the evening, Sunny Deol is seated on the patio and beamingly greets us. Numerous things are going on; one of the staff members arrives and informs him of his rights to a sequel. After a minute, someone else approaches him and asks whether he’s going to the reception that evening. Following the enormous success of Gadar 2, the follow-up to his similarly successful 2001 film of the same name, everyone wants a piece of him.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-333209″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-gadar-2-reviewers-and-that-picture-of-sunny-deol-reconciling-with-srk-time-heals-a-750×563.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com gadar 2 reviewers and that picture of sunny deol reconciling with srk time heals a” width=”1075″ height=”806″ title=”Gadar 2, reviewers, and that picture of Sunny Deol reconciling with SRK: Time heals all wounds, and everyone has gone on 6″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-gadar-2-reviewers-and-that-picture-of-sunny-deol-reconciling-with-srk-time-heals-a-750×563.jpg 750w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-gadar-2-reviewers-and-that-picture-of-sunny-deol-reconciling-with-srk-time-heals-a-1024×768.jpg 1024w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-gadar-2-reviewers-and-that-picture-of-sunny-deol-reconciling-with-srk-time-heals-a-768×576.jpg 768w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-gadar-2-reviewers-and-that-picture-of-sunny-deol-reconciling-with-srk-time-heals-a-150×113.jpg 150w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-gadar-2-reviewers-and-that-picture-of-sunny-deol-reconciling-with-srk-time-heals-a.jpg 1200w” sizes=”(max-width: 1075px) 100vw, 1075px” /></p>
<p><strong>We agree, and the following are some tidbits from an impromptu discussion:</strong></p>
<p>How does it feel to close the year on such a positive note, having delivered one of the largest blockbusters in the history of the Hindi film industry?<br />
Long overdue… achievement ka nasha thoda sa utar chuka hai! These have been busy years, but as time goes on, the unpleasant things become less memorable. My son Karan was married in a family ceremony that took place in June. Family members arrived from all around the globe. My family has always celebrated weddings in this manner: sab kuchh ghar pe hi karte the. Halwa ghar pe banta tha, maul banta tha… It was lovely to spend a week at home. During that time, we released Gadar once again. We had a great answer, which made me feel better. There was a growing buzz. And a day after the release, the buzz was so big after touring our armed forces facilities that I couldn’t stop laughing and sobbing at the same time. It was unbelievable. Jab soya ek raat pehle main vahi tha, aur agle din ki subaah kaise yeh sab kuchh ho gaya!</p>
<p>You initially appeared on film for a new generation. What was their response upon seeing you?<br />
I’m overjoyed. The majority of my Instagram followers are between the ages of 12 and 24, according to my data. Basically, it’s only a matter of time until you follow through! My experience in movies has proven to be beneficial. Thanks to Gadar 2’s popularity, I now have the chance to work in film, something I had always wanted to do but had to give up when corporations took over. They are now kings. When it comes to movies, I think it’s important to do positive things and act like a kid. I never get fatigued. I will continue to put forth a lot of effort; nothing will change. Now, I’m working on larger projects.</p>
<p>There was a period of a few years up to 2023 when your pictures didn’t get the expected reception. It’s really simple to get insecure. How did that stage go?<br />
In the beginning, we would continuously sign movies, saying things like “kaam chalta rehta tha chahe koi film chale ya nahi chale.” We weren’t depending on a single movie; each performer had five to six pictures at any one moment. Starting in 2000, it was different. People’s perceptions of technology were changing quickly, and the globe has suddenly become interconnected. Things shifted in all directions. Your public relations approach has evolved. They don’t even need to try since they are receiving so much material. You need to market your film right now if you are making one. Because it all boils down to statistics, everyone makes you feel uneasy. This movie is very interesting. Buri is better than Achhi since it’s more realistic. Cinemas cannot accomplish anything unless they allow films to breathe in order for them to survive. These days, if they can’t find a show time that works for them, they simply use their phones to check the show times. They never see a movie.</p>
<p><strong>Reviews are also available.</strong><br />
Critics don’t care that they are essentially destroying the industry. Unko chalta hai. Power exists for those who do not have it. The film doesn’t need reviewers! What a shame that my thesis is based on a work of art that isn’t even a movie! Hey, this isn’t what we’re talking about here. You know, like how the camera lens can capture light, how desire can drive anything, how lighting can make something disappear. We are bringing tales that resemble the ones our mother used to tell us when we were little. When I see people, I chuckle (critiquing movies). When the main bolt is not damaged, it is not broken. If folks want me, I’m here. I will not exist if they do not want me. However, no one can force me or put me down. You are either made or broken by your job.</p>
<p>However, it’s at the lows that one learns who are true friends and who are just there to pass the time. Have the latter returned at this point?<br />
You are aware of the genuine and false. There’s no reason to try to figure it out. I’m not the kind of person who gets enthusiastic at this point. Over the years, I have seen this occur several times. Main sab se karta hoon, kar li dosti. Farak mujhe nahi padhta. In the end, what am I looking for? A quality motion picture. The Deols want that.</p>
<p>We had just arrived at that. 2023 has proven to be the Deols’ year. How weird does it seem, from Dharmendra sir doing Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani to Bobby in Animal to your Gadar 2?<br />
Together, my whole family has risen. Things have improved greatly because of Wahe Guru. I think tomorrow will be a pleasant day. People’s love and devotion for one another have only grown stronger over time.</p>
<p><strong>For you, which one was the most significant event of the year?</strong><br />
It’s hard to say. My daughter-in-law Drisha Acharya’s return home brought me the greatest joy; it seemed like a lucky charm. I vividly recall that on August 10, in the evening, I had gone to the Gateway of India to meet with the Navy Force because I felt something developing within of me. That evening, I sobbed. I wish I could say it out loud.</p>
<p><strong>When did you last experience this level of feeling?</strong><br />
It had never happened before. And then there was Bob’s Animal. I always cry when I see the scene of him stumbling. He seems like a kid to me. I was always so full no matter where I went—a problem shared by us Deols, hehe. Emotions toot padhte the, kuchh tareef karta tha.</p>
<p>Bobby wept too, seeing the responses to your movie at the Gaiety Theater in Mumbai. Clearly, the Deols are highly sensitive individuals!<br />
Whatever you choose to call it, that’s our strength or weakness. We don’t conceal (cries silently).</p>
<p><strong>Is Sunny Deol redefining himself after a successful film?</strong><br />
I have not altered or reinvented myself; I am the same. I’ve been recreated by the people! “Yeh kya kar raha hai, purana director, purani film, ghatiya hai,” people would say to me while I was filming Gadar 2. I used to attempt to sign with startups that assign projects to people to work with. I read the whole grid to figure out how I do what I do. I never saw anything making sense when I interacted with those folks! I remained steadfast. It’s been rather time-consuming.</p>
<p>Personal things are changing as well; for example, this year, a photo of you embracing Shah Rukh Khan at a function went viral. Are you in the right frame of mind to forgive and forget past wrongs?<br />
That isn’t the case. Everyone’s life has advanced. and content with what they have, content psychologically. They weren’t like that when they were younger. Everyone is content and pleased right now. Everybody is aware of their own wrongdoings and rights. Time is a remedial factor. It’s advisable to stop there. I was delighted that everyone attended my party.</p>
<p>Nearly all of the industry’s generations, both past and present, attended your success celebration. How does the fraternity’s love feel?<br />
“Tu merko bulata tha apni parties mein, main nahi aata tha, saale tu mere yahaan aa hi gaya,” I seem to have whispered into Salman’s (Khan) ear. I used to be invited to every party he had. Everyone is aware of my lack of party spirit. The atmosphere was quite warm. We Deols are fortunate. My dad set the example, and we followed suit. Nobody wants to hurt someone else, and we never do that. If I have harmed somebody, I would like to apologize. That characterizes who I am. I’m not afraid of anybody, and nothing can separate me from my happiness. We’ve always been charitable. That has been the course of our adventure. Everybody is bashful.</p>
<p>Being bashful in a field where speaking out is valued and where there are tales of individuals tearing others down and biting back. Why didn’t you succumb to the temptation as well?<br />
That’s who we are now. Koi kya bol raha hai doesn’t concern us. Toh dekh lenge bolega mere saamne. I refuse to ask for “kyun bola aise” outside. If you have courage, then you are just as strong as everyone else, and you will be able to overcome any obstacle. Merely paise hazaar kaam hain.</p>
<p>You have many projects underway; Lahore 1947 is the next. There’s a lot of anticipation for what you will accomplish moving forward. Do you think you’ve been treated fairly in this field?<br />
Giving me my due in the profession is highly contested—for my dad and myself as much as for each other. In addition, we don’t socialize with business the way other people do. To be honest, we are too respectful of ourselves. Instead of going around begging for something, I would rather receive it if I earn it. That’s why I went into producing. People are familiar with me from my work in classic films. Regretfully, all of the money I made from creating movies was lost. I am an actor, not a businessman. This generation should also learn from me to focus on one skill rather than multitasking, which will just lead to transferring money from one location to another. Avoid being too ambitious. Being an actor requires a full-time career.</p>
<p>Do you believe that Gadar 2 disproved the idea that masala movies like this aren’t relevant in the modern era?<br />
There has always been and always will be commercial theater. I hope the movie does well in its first weekend of release. They remain silent even when they disagree with it. We didn’t have many screens when Gadar 2 came out since it conflicted with OMG2. Things would have been larger if we had more displays. We also did not get any screens abroad. Despite this, our movie created new opportunities. When lone screens that had been closed opened, they did 100 times as much business as they had before. People were requesting movies that they could see and identify with, which we were not providing at the time.</p>
<p>When we introduced dubbed South Korean movies here, I got the impression that the movies I had worked on in the past had been recreated and remade again because they had the same feelings.</p>
