Imtiaz Ali was warned against narrating Socha Na Tha’s script to Sunny Deol: ‘He may slap you’

In a recent interview, Imtiaz Ali shared how he got the opportunity to make his first film, Socha Na Tha with Abhay Deol. He revealed he had to take the approval of Sunny Deol first.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | October 17, 2023 12:07 PM IST

3 min read

Sunny Deol approved the script of Abhay Deol and Ayesha Takia starrer Socha Na Tha. (Express Archive Photo)

Listen to this article

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Actor Sunny Deol carries the image of ‘Angry Young Man’ due to the films he has done in his career, and people assume he is as temperamental in real life as on-screen. Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali was also warned about the same before he met the actor for the narration of his debut film, Socha Na Tha. But his perception changed after meeting Sunny. Today, Imtiaz holds the highest regard for the actor as he was the person who gave him his first film.

In a recent interview, Imtiaz, known for films like Jab We Met, Rockstar, Tamasha and Love Aaj Kal, shared how he got the opportunity to make his first film, Socha Na Tha, starring Abhay Deol and Ayesha Takia in the lead roles. It so happened that Sunny Deol came to know about his cousin Abhay planning a film with Imtiaz. So, he called for the filmmaker.

“Sunny Deol must have heard from somewhere that Abhay is planning to do a film. So, he summoned me and told me, ‘Ye kya ho raha hai? Pehle main approve karunga fir ye film banegi. I will produce it. (What is happening? This film will be made after my approval),” Imtiaz told Lallantop.

Also read | Imtiaz Ali says it was a ‘mistake’ to act in Black Friday on Anurag Kashyap’s insistence: ‘Vo merko zaleel karna chahta tha’

But even before Imtiaz could meet Sunny Deol, people tried to ‘scare’ him by saying, “He is an action hero, angry man and you are going to him with a story where the hero is slapped. He is physically strong too. What will you do if he would slap you in anger?” Imtiaz had never met a star before and since he wanted to make the film, he went to Simla to narrate Socha Na Tha’s script to the Gadar star.

Since the actor was shooting for a film in Simla, he told Imtiaz to come to him either late at night, early in the morning or when it rains. Imtiaz got a chance when it rained, and he narrated the script to Sunny. After listening to the script, the actor told him, “Yes, I will make the film.”

Also read | Bobby Deol tears up as he talks about brother Sunny Deol: ‘He is like my father…’

That day, Imtiaz’s perception of Sunny Deol also changed. He said, “He (Sunny) is a very shy man, very sensitive. That day, the stereotype around him broke for me. He didn’t ask me where I was from or what is my experience. He has a very important position in my life because he gave me my first film.”

Sunny Deol is currently basking in the success of Gadar 2. He will be next seen in Rajkumar Santoshi’s film Lahore 47, which will be produced by Aamir Khan.

From the homepage