Why Amrita Singh Walked Away from Sunny Deol
The Hook: In 1983, the box-office hit Betaab set the silver screen on fire with a raw, crackling chemistry between two newcomers. But amid the giddy celebration, there came a true heartbreak, lying ever so slightly out of sight. Long before she became the Begum of Pataudi, Amrita Singh was swooning over Bollywood’s ‘He-Man’ protégé, Sunny Deol, until something unforeseen broke her heart into pieces.
The Feature:
And in a time when Bollywood stars kept their private lives as close as state secrets, Amrita Singh was bracing, blunt, bold, and savagely honest about how things were. It wasn’t a case of “let’s keep the love on screen” when she featured in actor Sunny Deol’s debut film. (Getting a little esoteric due to my work, but) Amrita has always been very emotionally upfront, and from what I’ve heard, she went head over heels in love with her charming co-star.
The “Action King” had a secret — one that the insiders of his industry never quite understood. Sunny was married to a Londoner named Pooja before his Bollywood debut. The Deol family chose to keep it quiet, fearing the revelation would undermine his romantic-hero image.
Amrita proceeded on the impression that Ashutosh was a free bird. But in Tinseltown, secrets have a way of not staying secret for long.
“Amrita didn’t want to be the cause of a failed marriage. Her mind was made up when she learnt the truth about Sunny’s hidden marriage to Pooja. Her dignity or a love that is complicated. A source close to the actress (4) confirmed this.
The Aftermath:
The reveal marked the end of their brief romance. Consistent with her no-nonsense attitude, Amrita refused to be the other woman. She would make news years later for marrying much younger Saif Ali Khan. While her marriage to Saif didn’t last, Amrita decided to live independently and focused on her two kids, Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan. Even as Sunny out-glammed them and Saif moved on to Kareena Kapoor, Amrita has emerged as the industry’s classiest “straight-talker”.
Editor’s Note:
The 80s were a time of crafted personalities and concealed truths. Amrita Singh’s removal from Sunny Deol’s life was not just a breakup; it was an assertion of self-respect in an industry that wanted women to always compromise. At Cinebuzz Times, we revisit these archival stories not just for the gossip but to celebrate the grit of our icons who made it all possible. Amrita’s tale continues to inspire everyone that finding the truth comes at a price.