11th September 2023,Mumbai: Reinstating Sunny Deol as a Bollywood Star
Gadar 2, the sequel to the iconic 2001 film Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, proved to be a hurricane at the Indian box office. This cinematic masterpiece not only crossed the Rs 500 crore mark but also reestablished Sunny Deol as one of the top stars in Bollywood. With a fan following spanning generations, Sunny Deol has once again showcased his ability to create cinematic magic, provided he has the right script in hand. Gadar 2 brought back the beloved pair of Tara Singh and Sakina, portrayed by Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel, while Anil Sharma returned to the director’s chair for this epic sequel, set against the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pak war. However, what made headlines was the news of Sunny Deol’s purported fee hike to Rs 50 crores.
Sunny Deol’s Fee Hike: Fact or Fiction?
Rumors about Sunny Deol demanding a staggering Rs 50 crore as his fee started making rounds, leaving many in the industry shocked. Considering the film’s budget of Rs 120 crores, which included substantial cuts in Anil Sharma’s own fees to allocate resources for the movie, this revelation raised eyebrows. However, Sunny Deol promptly addressed these reports and clarified his stance, emphasizing that he doesn’t want to burden his producers with exorbitant fees.
Sunny Deol’s Perspective on Film Fees
Sunny Deol took the opportunity to share his perspective on film fees during an appearance on the show “Aap Ki Adalat.” He revealed that money isn’t his primary motivator when choosing roles in films. According to him, the producer decides his fee based on their estimation of how much he can contribute to the film’s overall success. He believes that any actor should charge a fee proportionate to the value they bring to the project. When questioned about whether earning Rs 500 crores justifies him earning Rs 50 crores, Sunny Deol responded wisely, saying that if a producer believes he deserves such a fee, he’s open to it. He also made it clear that he wouldn’t turn down a project solely based on the offered fee, stating, “That’s not how I work. I like to be in a position where I don’t become a burden to a project.”
Gadar 2: A Box Office Triumph
Gadar 2’s incredible box office performance speaks for itself. With earnings surpassing Rs 500 crores, Anil Sharma confirmed that everyone involved in the film profited handsomely. The movie garnered an impressive opening collection of over Rs 40 crores in India, and on Independence Day 2023, it soared past the Rs 50 crore mark. Interestingly, a significant portion of these earnings came from single-screen cinema halls across the country. Sunny Deol’s success in Gadar 2 has also stoked anticipation for potential sequels, with the actor expressing his readiness to participate in Gadar 3 whenever the makers decide to go ahead with the project. Moreover, he has other exciting projects in the pipeline, including Border 2 and Maa Tujhe Salam 2, with the producer of the latter confirming its development.
Gadar 2’s monumental success at the box office not only reaffirmed Sunny Deol’s stature as a Bollywood superstar but also shed light on his pragmatic approach to film fees. While rumors of his Rs 50 crore demand raised eyebrows, Sunny Deol’s clear stance on not wanting to be a burden to a project showcases his dedication to his craft and his industry. As Bollywood continues to evolve, stars like Sunny Deol remain pivotal in shaping its future, one blockbuster at a time.
-by Kashvi Gala