When Sunny Deol played a Pakistani Army officer

As Sunny Deol turns 66 today, let's have a look at a lesser-known aspect about his career.

By Keyur Seta -

October 19, 2023 - 9:00 AM IST

Sunny Deol has, over the decades, become a specialist in the action genre. He is considered a master when it comes to delivering powerful punches and kicks to the baddies. He has also been someone who has acted in films where a villain or a group of villains are Pakistanis. He acquired this image after the stupendous success of Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and continued the same with Indian, Maa Tujhe Salaam, Hero: Love Story Of A Spy, Jaal: The Trap, etc. Just earlier this year, he revived that image with the blockbuster success of Gadar 2.

When Sunny Deol played a Pakistani Army officer

In other words, Sunny came to be known as Pakistan’s onscreen nemesis. But what if we tell you that after starring in a series of anti-Pakistan films, Sunny went onto play a proud Pakistani Army officer in a movie? Let’s have a look at this lesser-known aspect about him on his 66^th birthday, which is today.

Punjabi filmmaker Amitoj Maan came up with his second Hindi film called Kaafila in 2007. The movie was based on the issue of illegal immigrants. It told the story of a group of Indians eager to relocate to England but are unable to get visas due to some reason or the other. As it is very important for them to get to the European country, they decide to become illegal immigrants.

Surprisingly, in this 2 hour 27 minute movie, Sunny Deol makes an entry after almost an hour. Before that, Kaafila focuses on the Indian travellers, including a Sikh gentleman played by Sudesh Berry and others. They manage to contact people who are experts in trafficking humans illegally to foreign lands. As per the plan of the traffickers, the group of Indians enter Russia and from there they are to reach England after passing through a few other countries.

But they meet one obstacle after the another and there comes a time when even their lives are in danger. This is when Sunny Deol walks into the picture and becomes their saviour. He introduces himself as Sameer, an expert in trafficking people to foreign countries. He knows all the tricks on how to hoodwink the authorities of various countries.

And since he is Sunny Deol, he is also an expert fighter who also knows how to use different types of weapons like a walk in the park. Hence, the film has a number of scenes where he either beats up people or shoots them dead, as he helps the group of immigrants enter England.

After a lot of twists and turns (and a few deaths), the group of Indians realize that there is no point in migrating to another country. They are suddenly enlightened on how they can lead good lives even while staying in India. So, Sunny then helps them return to India. For that, they land in Afghanistan and then Pakistan.

Once the Indian ensemble reaches Pakistan, they realize that Sunny is a Pakistani Army officer Sameer Ahmed Khan. He had gone underground due to some reason. He firmly raises the slogan ‘Pakistan Paindabad’ (may Pakistan live forever), but at the same time doesn’t consider any difference between Indians and Pakistanis. In the end, he happily helps the group of Indians return to their homeland.

Kaafila also starred two Pakistani actresses in the form of Sana Nawaz and Sara Loren. The latter was also seen in Bollywood films like Murder 3, Barkhaa, Fraud Saiyyan, etc.

Kaafila also has a funny Border connection. The 1997 JP Dutta movie saw Sunny play an angry Sardar who shouts at Sudesh Berry’s character Mathuradas at a crucial point in the film. In Kaafila, Berry plays a Sardar, who angrily screams at Sunny.

If not anything else, Kaafila helped Mathuradas avenge his decade-old insult.

Also Read: Here’s why Sunny Deol is unwilling to enormously hike his fees after Gadar 2 success; says, “I am not that kind of person”