Ameesha Patel opens up on grandfather, says he was ‘almost CM of Maharashtra’: ‘Whether it was Dhirubhai Ambani or a peon, he treated them the same’

Actor Ameesha Patel, best known for her roles in films like Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001), Kaho Na Pyaar Hai (2000) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), made her debut at the turn of the century. She recently got on a podcast to give insights into her life and career, where she talked about her grandfather Rajni Patel, who was a well-known politician and barrister. She shared that people like Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel, M.F. Hussain and Dhirubhai Ambani were regulars at her grandfather’s house and how he always maintained a respectful relationship with all.

While talking to Maniesh Paul on his podcast, Ameesha credited her down-to-earth persona and attitude to her grandfather, who was a top barrister before joining the Congress in the late 1960s. “My grandfather was almost the chief minister of Maharashtra, and there are roads named after him. He was the one who taught me this. I used to go to his house in Worli, and there was no big name that wouldn’t visit him; you name it, and I have seen that person. Yet, my grandfather’s treatment, whether it was a peon in the office or Dhirubhai Ambani, he treated them the same. He taught me that ‘Ameesha, no matter how far you go in life, humility should always remain.”‘

READ MORE: Ameesha Patel reveals Anil Sharma ghosted her for a year, shot Gadar 2 climax without telling her: ‘I hope his conscience strikes’

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“My grandmother taught me that life is a battle and it is a long road, but one should always take the right path, which is tougher and longer, but it is the surer part, and that keeps me grounded,” added Ameesha.

After making her debut alongside Hrithik Roshan in 2000, Patel became a household name overnight. Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, which also starred Sunny Deol, was a massive blockbuster hit and cemented her name even further. Directed by Anil Sharma, the film went on to become the defining role for both Deol and Patel. Deol and Patel went on to reprise their beloved roles 22 years after the release of the original, and received a huge box-office reception.

Apart from Deol and Ameesha, the cast of the film also included Utkarsh Sharma, Simratt Kaur, Manish Wadhwa, Gaurav Chopra and Manoj Naik.