Gadar cast then and now: Where are they 25 years later?

Gadar: Ek Prem Katha has completed 25 years since its release. Here's what Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and the rest of the film's memorable cast are doing today.

In Short

• The 2001 Partition drama followed Tara Singh and Sakina through upheaval
• Sunny Deol remains busy, with Batwara 1947 and Ramayana ahead
• Ameesha Patel last appeared in Tauba Tera Jalwa after Gadar 2

Twenty-five years after Gadar: Ek Prem Katha was released on June 15, 2001, the film remains closely tied to the performances that shaped it. Set against the Partition of India, the action drama starred Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel in the lead, with Amrish Puri, Vivek Shauq, Lillete Dubey, Mushtaq Khan, Om Puri and Utkarsh Sharma in supporting roles.

As the film completes a quarter-century, its cast reflects its long afterlife in popular cinema. Some actors are still active, some returned for the film's sequel Gadar 2 (2023), and some are no longer alive.

The film followed Tara Singh, a Sikh truck driver, who falls in love with and marries Sakina, a Muslim woman. Political upheaval and family pressure later separate them as she is taken back to Pakistan.

Here's a look at where the iconic cast of Gadar is today:

Sunny Deol (Tara Singh)

Sunny Deol, 68, remains active in the film industry. In a career spanning more than four decades, he has worked in more than 100 films and has also been a director, producer and former politician. Among his latest projects are Border 2, in which he plays Lt. Col. Fateh Singh Kaler. He will be next seen in Batwara 1947, Ikka and Ramayana.

Ameesha Patel (Sakina)

After Gadar, Ameesha Patel's career saw several ups and downs. She went on to appear in films including Humraaz (2002), Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd (2007), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic (2008) and Gadar 2. Her last on-screen appearance was in the 2024 film Tauba Tera Jalwa.

Amrish Puri (Ashraf Ali)

Amrish Puri was widely known for his villainous roles. After Gadar, he appeared in films like Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2001), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) and Hulchul (2004). The actor died on January 12, 2005.

Utkarsh Sharma (Charanjeet)

Utkarsh Sharma, the son of director Anil Sharma, made his first screen appearance as a child in Gadar. As an adult, he made his lead debut with Genius in 2018 and later appeared in Gadar 2 in 2023 and Vanvaas in 2024.

Vivek Shauq (Darmiyaan Singh)

After Gadar, he appeared in films including Delhi Heights, Aitraaz, 36 China Town and Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye. The actor died of a heart attack in Mumbai on January 10, 2011.

Lillete Dubey (Shabana)

Lillete Dubey is known for films such as Chalte Chalte, Baghban and Kal Ho Naa Ho- all of which were released in 2003. More recently, she appeared in Songs of Paradise in 2025 and Ginny Weds Sunny 2 in 2026.

Mushtaq Khan (Gul Khan)

After Gadar, Mushtaq Khan featured in films such as Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), the Welcome franchise, Oh My God! (2012), Wanted (2008) and Gadar 2. His recent on-screen appearances include Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 in 2025 and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! Fun On The Run in 2026.

Om Puri (Narrator)

The late veteran actor appeared in Chor Machaaye Shor (2002), Deewane Huye Paagal (2005), Chup Chup Ke (2006), Malamaal Weekly (2006), Kismat Konnection (2008) and OMG - Oh My God!. He died on January 6, 2017.

Sharma recently told India Today that while writing the film, he had first imagined a young Dharmendra as Tara Singh. He said the character needed someone who could dance, sing, play instruments and bring humour. He recalled thinking, "if only we could have gotten a young Dharmendra", but once that idea was set aside, Sunny Deol became the clear choice.

Sharma said, "There was no other choice, and no better actor than him to play Tara Singh," and added that the film showed a side of Deol that had rarely been explored on screen before. He also said Deol is humorous in real life, especially with close friends.

On casting Sakina, Sharma said the makers auditioned 400 to 500 women before narrowing the list to 15 or 16, with Ameesha Patel among them. He said she rehearsed for long hours, came to his house every day, remembered every line and "absolutely became Sakina".

The film's sequel, Gadar 2, was released in cinemas on August 11 2023. It too became a commercial blockbuster.

- Ends