By News18,Yatamanyu Narain

Copyright news18

Ameesha Patel’s career has been a curious mix of record-shattering blockbusters and headline-grabbing controversies. While she has starred in some of Hindi cinema’s most iconic hits — Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai (2000), Badri (2000), Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) and the recent mega-hit Gadar 2 (2023) — she has also weathered several colossal flops and turbulent phases. Yet, her name has never strayed far from the spotlight, whether for her professional highs or personal controversies.
The actress, who continues to share warm ties with co-stars like Sanjay Dutt and Hrithik Roshan (her debut co-actor), recently revealed that not everyone in the film industry likes her. The reason, she says, lies in her “no-nonsense attitude.”
“At the end of the day, the audience needs to love you, no matter what camp you belong to. Yes — because I don’t belong to certain camps, don’t drink, smoke and maska-lagao for work — I get whatever I get on my merit. People do not like me for that reason. I am not going to suck up to you,” Ameesha candidly shared in a chat with Zoom.
She explained that her refusal to engage in Bollywood’s entrenched culture of sycophancy or cliques has often come at a cost. A self-confessed teetotaler, Ameesha believes her choices have limited her opportunities in an industry where relationships and networks play a key role.
The actress also revisited her breakthrough film, Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, which turned her into an overnight star. Surprisingly, she wasn’t the first choice for the role that became her debut, “After he (Rakesh Roshan) had Kareena (Kapoor) leave the film because of their differences and him being upset with her behaviour, I got the opportunity. Had I come from the film industry, maybe I would’ve been the first choice,” Ameesha revealed.
Reflecting on her journey as an outsider without influential support, she admitted that the struggle has been lonelier for her than many of her peers, “It’s worse when you don’t end up having a boyfriend or a husband from the industry. When you don’t share your other ‘half’ as a power couple, it’s very hard. You don’t have people backing you. There’s no reason to back you, you are an outsider,” she said.
Despite the hurdles, Ameesha Patel continues to chart her own path — relying solely on her persistence, merit, and audience love to stay relevant in an ever-competitive industry.