Gadar premiere: “Sunny and I will always be known for playing Tara Singh and Sakina. Putting on the costume of Tara and Sakina is akin to (putting on) Superman and Wonder Woman’s costume!” – Ameesha Patel.

Ameesha Patel had a glorious debut with Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai (2000). It launched Hrithik Roshan as well, who overnight became the heartthrob of the nation. Ameesha, too, attained a huge following and it increased manifold after the release of her second film, Gadar – Ek Prem Katha (2001). It emerged as one of the biggest hits of Indian cinema and has a crazy fan base even today, after 22 years. This prompted the makers to come up with a sequel, Gadar 2. It will release this year on Independence Day and to ensure people can have a recap of sorts, Zee Studios re-released Gadar – Ek Prem Katha in cinemas yesterday, on Friday, June 9. Three premieres of the film were held in Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai.

The premiere in Mumbai which was graced by Ameesha Patel, lead actor Sunny Deol, director Anil Sharma, singer Udit Narayan and Zee Studios’ CBO Shariq Patel. It was also Ameesha’s birthday yesterday and she was greeted with ‘Happy Birthday’ wishes from fans.

Ameesha Patel took the mic and shared an interesting trivia, “Exactly 22 years ago, on June 9, 2001, I was doing press interactions. I was asked, ‘Ameesha ji, aaj aapka janamdin hai. What gift do you want?’. I replied, ‘Gadar – Ek Prem Katha will release on June 15. I hope that it is India’s biggest blockbuster’. And that’s what happened!”

She continued, “Today, I want to ask God again for the same present that I want Gadar 2 to be India’s biggest blockbuster!”

Ameesha Patel further said, “ Gadar – Ek Prem Katha changed my life. Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai helped me carve a place in the hearts and homes of everybody. But with Gadar – Ek Prem Katha, everybody started treating me as a serious actor and a performer.”

She added, “I used to get calls from women in Pakistan. They used to tell me, ‘Aapne hum Pakistaniyon ko itna rulaya hai ki humne apni betiyon ka naam Sakina rakh diya hai!’ That was really beautiful. Sakina was the name of Prophet Mohammed’s daughter. It means pure soul.”

Ameesha Patel signed off by remarking, “Sunny and I will always (be known for playing) Tara Singh and Sakina. Putting on the costume of Tara Singh and Sakina is akin to (putting) Superman and Wonder Woman’s costume!”