Bollywood star Sunny Deol has remained a central figure in the industry’s biggest conversations following his massive box-office resurgence. Recently, he addressed a viral trend that has taken over social media: the use of his iconic 90s legacy in the blockbuster film Dhurandhar.
The actor sat down to clarify whether he was financially compensated for the specific references to his career highlights. His response shed light on how he views his legacy and the industry’s current habit of leaning on nostalgia to drive new hits.
Sunny Deol on “Dhurandhar” royalties: “I didn’t get anything”
In a recent interview with ANI, Sunny Deol addressed the viral dialogue from Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar delivered by Ranveer Singh: “Ghayal hoon, isiliye Ghatak hoon” (I am wounded, that’s why I am lethal). When asked if he received any royalty or payment for the use of his legendary film titles in this dialogue, Deol clarified that there was no commercial deal involved.
According to NDTV, Sunny Deol smiled and called the reference a “sweet gesture,” stating:
“Nahi, humare jo director hai, he is a great fan. Unhone meri picture dekhi hai aur unhone Ghayal, Ghatak, yeh sab filmein dekhi hai. So I think just out of respect, maybe he used the dialogue. I mean, they have used the titles, which is very sweet.”
The actor confirmed to ABP Live that he didn’t charge any money for the shout-out, explaining that filmmaker Aditya Dhar included the line purely as a tribute to the films that shaped his love for action cinema.
Industry support and the shift in focus
While Sunny Deol isn’t seeking royalties for viral one-liners, the industry’s respect for him has translated into massive professional support. After Gadar 2 and now Border 2 crossed the 300-crore mark, major players are lining up to work with him. Aamir Khan has stepped in as a producer for the actor’s next big project, Lahore 1947, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi.
According to The Times of India, Aamir Khan’s involvement is a significant show of industry camaraderie. Aamir reportedly chose the project because it was a script that Deol’s father, Dharmendra, had cherished for years. This wave of support from peers like Aamir and Salman Khan – who publicly cheered for Sunny’s comeback – proves that while the legalities of royalties may be complicated, his standing in the industry is stronger than ever.