Anil Sharma Responds to Ameesha Patel’s Accusations: ‘I Don’t Throw Stones in the Mud’

Mumbai : The ongoing war of words between Ameesha Patel and filmmaker Anil Sharma, sparked by their 2023 blockbuster Gadar 2, took another turn when Sharma responded to Patel's accusations in a candid interview. The actress had previously criticized the film, claiming issues with how her character, Sakina, was portrayed and even alleged that the film's climax had been altered without her consent.

When asked about Patel’s comment that Gadar as a brand revolves around her character Sakina, alongside Sunny Deol's Tara Singh and Utkarsh Sharma's Charanjeet, but excludes him, Anil Sharma responded: "Unke mann mein jo hai unhe kehne do. Har insaan apni baat rakhne ke liye free hai. Unko lagta hai aisa hai toh aisa hai. Main keechad mein patthar nahi fekta" (Let them say whatever is in their heart. Everyone is free to express their opinion. If they feel that way, so be it. I don’t throw stones in the mud).

The director emphasized that while everyone is entitled to their opinion, his primary responsibility was to the film’s success, not to placating individual actors. He reflected on his past experiences with Patel, describing her as "family" and recalling the hard work she put into becoming Sakina. However, he also noted that actors from wealthy families tend to have a certain "attitude" or "aura," which he attributed to her upbringing.

"Whenever she came for rehearsals, she wore a solitaire ring and arrived in a ₹1 crore Mercedes, a chauffeur-driven car," Sharma shared. He pointed out that despite her wealth, she was hardworking and soft-spoken, with a mannered demeanor that he believed suited the character of Sakina, who is the daughter of a wealthy man in the film.

The filmmaker also addressed Patel's claims about the film's climax, asserting that any changes made were done for the betterment of the film. "As a director, my responsibility lies with the film, not any individual actor," he explained. He further stated that if the film had not performed well at the box office, all the blame would have been directed at him as the director.

In her earlier interviews, Patel had accused Sharma’s production house of non-payment of dues, and recently revealed her frustration over the changes made to the film’s conclusion. She stated that she would only return for Gadar 3 if her character, Sakina, was given a significant role alongside Tara Singh, similar to her portrayal in the original Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.

Despite the tension between them, Gadar 2 became a massive success, grossing ₹686 crore worldwide and breaking several box office records. The sequel to the 2001 blockbuster, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, starred Patel, Sunny Deol, and Utkarsh Sharma, and was widely praised for its commercial performance.

The filmmaker’s response suggests that while professional differences may persist, his focus remains on the overall success of the film and its impact on the audience.