Sunny Deol Was A ‘Nightmare To Work With', Claims Suneel Darshan: 'Like Indulging A Child'

News18

2 days ago

Last Updated:
Suneel Darshan calls Sunny Deol the "darkest chapter" of his life, recalls nightmarish filming experience, emotional manipulation, and ongoing legal issues.
Filmmaker Suneel Darshan, known for shaping the careers of many Bollywood stars, has often found himself at odds with the very actors he once collaborated with. In a recent tell-all with journalist Vickey Lalwani, the veteran director opened up about his tumultuous relationships with leading men like Akshay Kumar and Sunny Deol, and even revealed his estrangement from his own brother, filmmaker Dharmesh Darshan. But it was his candid remarks about Sunny Deol that drew the sharpest attention.
Calling his association with Sunny 'the darkest chapter in my life and career," Suneel didn't mince words as he detailed their fractured relationship and ongoing legal disputes. 'These are powerful people, and they care a damn. But there will be divine justice some day, I am sure. It's something too bitter to even put in words," he said, referencing allegations that Sunny took money from him for a film that never materialized.
Despite their bitter fallout, Suneel clarified that he still holds respect for the Deol family. He chose not to speak ill of Dharmendra, and shared that he had a positive working relationship with Bobby Deol, Sunny's younger brother.
Suneel recalled the evolution of his working dynamic with Sunny across three films: Inteqaam, Lootere, and Ajay. 'I did three films with him. I did my first film, Inteqaam, with him. At that point, he was not a big star. He had a potential stardom to him. We had a relationship before that as well. We distributed a lot of his movies. We had a significant contribution in the project which was to be his launch. I believed in him. I believed that cinema needed people of his kind. During Inteqaam, I was a bit confused…"
The confusion only deepened with their next project. 'It was a nightmarish experience during production. It cost me much more… It was like indulging a little child, and getting him to complete your work. Honestly, I didn't want to do a fourth film with him, but I got stuck with him. And he used emotions, and fake relationships were mentioned, and he got me into a project that he was making for himself," Suneel added, referencing Ajay as the breaking point.
In a surprising turn, Suneel revealed that Sunny Deol was originally supposed to star in Jaanwar — a film that eventually went to a then-struggling Akshay Kumar after their professional relationship soured. Reflecting on his experience with Akshay, Suneel said, 'Akshay Kumar isn't a bad guy at all, actually. He has been much maligned. You cannot deny that he has his qualities."
While his seven-film collaboration with Akshay also ended, the bitterness in Suneel's voice was unmistakably reserved for Sunny. 'Sunny Deol is the darkest chapter in my life and career, but there is God above. There will be divine justice," he said.
Describing what it was like to work with Sunny on set, Suneel remarked, 'It was like minding a child." The emotional and logistical toll, he implied, wasn't just financial — it was deeply personal.
First Published:
July 25, 2025, 15:04 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.