Actress Ameesha Patel made her Bollywood debut with Rakesh Roshan directorial, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai in 2000. As the film completed 25 years, the makers decided to re-release it in theatres for the fans to enjoy. On the special occasion, the leading lady of the film, who essayed the role of Sonia, has now opened up about how fans’ obsession with her had reached a scary level after the release of the film.
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During an interview with HT City, the 49-year-old actress spoke about the euphoric period of the film’s release where she and her co-star Hrithik Roshan reached new heights of stardom overnight. Recalling the instant success, she shared that at the time many fans would take their photos to temples and churches to marry it. Ameesha went on to reveal that she would often get photos of her “garlanded, with sindoor and the words ‘You belong to me’ written on them.”
The Bhool Bhulaiya actress went on to recall how she even got hate from the fans after she worked with Bobby Deol and Sunny Deol. Quoted by HT City, Ameesha said, “I would also get hate letters with some saying ‘How can you work with Bobby (Deol) and Sunny (Deol)…you belong to me, Sonia’. There were letters written in blood. It was scary as much as it was flattering.”
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Some fans went to extreme lengths like showing up at her house, recalled Patel. She explained that the guards and watchmen at her residential address would lie to such fans so that they would leave. Humraaz actress went on to add, “It was not a time when actors had a huge entourage and there was no social media. For them to completely prop up at my residence and these handwritten letters, some written in blood, landing up at my place, was another level of fear and madness.”
Further in the interview, Ameesha also shared an adorable anecdote from her early days in the industry. She shared that despite not knowing the fate of the film at the box-office, she and Hrithik would practice their autographs. Everyday after trying a new autograph they would show it to each other and wonder if it was good enough. They would try different things to make their autographs unique.
Released on January 14, 2000, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai changed the trajectory of Bollywood films. It became the second highest grossing film of the 2000 worldwide. The movie has re-released in the theatres on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.