It turns out even superstars have their tearful moments. Veteran filmmaker Suneel Darshan recently shared some fascinating tales from his long career. He spilled the tea on working with big names like Priyanka Chopra, Akshay Kumar, Lara Dutta, and Kareena Kapoor. And he even revealed why Priyanka once left a film set in tears.
Darshan, who launched Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta alongside Akshay Kumar in the 2003 hit movie Andaaz, recently sat down with Amar Ujala Digital. He opened up about many surprising things from the film industry. He talked about Priyanka’s struggles, the politics of Bollywood "camps," and even a movie where he had to replace Akshay Kumar. He shared how Priyanka got so upset about a role that she cried and left the set.
The Moment Priyanka Cried
Suneel explained that Priyanka was very worried about her role in Aitraaz. She felt that Kareena Kapoor’s part was much stronger. She became upset and cried as she left his office. But Suneel convinced her that the film was important for her career. In the end, Aitraaz became a huge turning point for Priyanka.
Priyanka: A True Fighter
Darshan didn’t hold back when talking about Priyanka’s journey. He said that when she was at the top of her game, some powerful groups in the industry tried to bring her down. But she never gave up. She fought back and reached even greater heights. Suneel proudly called Priyanka a fighter. He noted that from 2002 to 2024, she keeps coming back like a newcomer. He added that she is very smart and handles herself with amazing grace and power on the world stage.
A Casting Dilemma
Suneel also looked back at a tricky situation during the making of Barsaat. After the success of Andaaz, he wanted to cast Priyanka and Akshay together again. Things started great. They recorded songs and even shot the first song. Darshan said the chemistry between them in that song, still on YouTube, was amazing.
However, he shared that some personal issues came up. Akshay and Priyanka could not continue working together. At the time, rumors about their affair were everywhere. Suneel believes those rumors changed the direction of their movie. He said removing Akshay from the film was more than just a creative choice. It felt like a personal blow. He decided to keep Priyanka in the film and brought in Bobby Deol instead of Akshay.
Last Encounter with the Superstar
When asked about his last meeting with Priyanka, Suneel remembered her wedding. He said that even as the bride, she was in full control of the entire reception. It was like she was running a major event. He noted that she has a unique talent, and her command and confidence are truly impressive to witness.