More than being scared, I am Sad & upset about it: Ameesha Patel on Boycott Bollywood

By Shachi Chaturvedi

Mumbai| Ameesha Patel has been in the news since the announcement of Gadar 2, which is set to be released in the first half of 2023.

To open her heart out about trolls, boycott culture and much more the Gadar 2 actress indulges in an exclusive conversation with absolute India news. Here are some highlights from the conversation.

On the release of Gadar 2

While expressing her excitement about the film the actress said “How can anyone feel, superb and blessed. Actually, no one but Tom Cruise, before us, got a chance to be part of an Iconic film. Which takes forward a new story, while bringing in the same characters. I think I am very privileged and honoured to be a part of one of such movie “

On, if she scared about the release

The actress talks about how she was never scared about films and releases, “I came up with a very disastrous movie in 2018 called Bhaiyaji super with Sunny only. It didn’t work as it was not a well publicise film. I am not jittery, I am used to this now. I was never anxious with my first film also, but coming back after a gap in a character that audiences have loved me for of course feels phenomenal. Everyone from a rickshaw driver to a CEO of a company asks me the same question when is Gadar 2 coming? It is scary for the simple reason that there are so many expectations riding on it. I just hope that it gets that love of the audience”

On marking return to the big screen and dealing with trolls

While talking about her return to the big screen and handling trolls, the actress commented, “If you are talking about the quality of films Ameesha Patel was known for then yes. This is going to be a film people will want to watch”

She continues “I take trolls with a pinch of salt. I read their comments and feel they might be saying something right. I treat my trolls as my teachers.”

On Boycott trend

The actress expresses her dismay about the boycott culture and said “More than being scared, I am Sad and upset about it. It is because, when you boycott a film you do not boycott an actor, director or producer. You rather boycott an entire industry behind it. Loads of people whose livelihood depend on a film. From a theatre owner to the person who is selling samosa. See if you make a good film this boycott is just an excuse. If the film is good then people will go to watch it and you have seen it for Bhool Bhulaiya, Kashmir files”