Ameesha Patel: You don’t need to be constantly busy making reels to prove your worth

Just when it seemed like Ameesha Patel had faded into the background, she came back into the spotlight with the massive success of Gadar 2. Celebrating 25 years in the industry, the actress who made her debut in Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai (2000) reflects on her journey, shares her thoughts on her career choices and the importance of staying true to oneself.

Excerpts:‘I want to be part of something that’s remembered for a long time’Ameesha says that she has always preferred her work to do the talking. “I’ve never been one to boast about my work. I let it speak for itself, and that’s how I want to continue.” Ask her about her absence from the big screen before Gadar 2, and she says, “Taking a break to reflect on the kind of cinema and roles that resonate with you is a conscious decision.

I don’t want to take up any project for the heck of being seen on a Friday.

I want to be part of something that will be remembered for a long time. Also, you don’t need to be constantly busy on a set making reels to prove your worth.”

‘I was upset when I learnt about the Gadar climax being altered’Although Gadar 2 was a box-office success, it stirred controversy. Ameesha was upset when the film’s climax was changed without her knowledge. She explains, “I was hurt because I had agreed to do Gadar 2 with the understanding that my character would justifiably take revenge and kill the villain. However, the climax was altered, and when Anil Sharma shot it, he didn’t contact me for an entire year.

He’s family to me, and I expected him to tell me that the original climax had to be changed. Had they retained the original climax, the film might have achieved an even greater cult status. But it’s in the past now — the film was a success, and it’s time to move on to the next chapter.”Does this mean she wouldn’t mind collaborating with him again? She responds, “I’ll collaborate with anyone whose content I like, but I’ll be more cautious now when it comes to trust — once bitten, twice shy.”‘I wouldn’t change anything about my career’The Humraaz actress has always had an independent streak. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “I’ve never belonged to any group. I’ve always believed that I should be given opportunities based on merit, not because I have any personal associations with any camp or social circle. In fact, the younger version of me was even more distant from all of this. I understand that being part of these dynamics could have helped my career, and yes, being part of certain camps might have opened doors.

However, even then, I chose to stay away from it all, and I wouldn’t change anything about my career. God has been kind, and I have a lot to be happy for.”‘I have been happily single for over 15 years’Ask Ameesha about her relationship status, and she replies, “I’ve been happily single for over 15 years, and I am content with that for now. I’ve become synonymous with hardcore romances on screen, with people willing to cross borders for me (laughs!). But I’m sure I am as lucky in real life as I am on the big screen and will soon find my real-life Tara Singh.”