Suneel Darshan Reflects on 28 Years of Ajay: Fallout with Sunny Deol and Karisma Kapoor Replacing Juhi Chawla

Suneel Darshan, director of the 1996 romantic action drama Ajay, looks back at the film’s 28-year journey, recalling its challenges, controversies, and the fallout with Sunny Deol.

A Journey Full of Challenges

Suneel Darshan’s Ajay recently celebrated its 28th anniversary, a milestone for the director’s debut film. The movie starred Sunny Deol, Karisma Kapoor, Reena Roy, Suresh Oberoi, and Kiran Kumar.

In an exclusive conversation with Zoom, Suneel opened up about the making of Ajay, his experiences on set, and the conflicts with some of the stars involved.

For Darshan, the experience of directing Ajay was a significant challenge. The film marked his transition from producer to director, and he faced numerous hurdles along the way.

Sunny Deol, who had worked with Suneel on previous productions like Inteqaam (1988) and Lootere (1993), was seen as the quintessential “angry young man” after his success with Ghayal (1990).

However, Darshan sought to show a more versatile side of Deol, portraying him not just as the angry hero but as a complete entertainer.

In addition to his action-packed roles, Deol was also seen dancing, with his “Chhammak Chhallo” steps from Ajay still remembered fondly.

Karisma Kapoor Replaces Juhi Chawla

One of the significant changes in Ajay came when Karisma Kapoor replaced Juhi Chawla at the last minute.

Karisma, who was on the brink of superstardom, brought her energy and determination to the role, perfectly complementing Sunny Deol’s character.

Suneel mentions how this was a turning point in both her career and their collaboration, as they worked together on five films over the next decade.

The movie, however, was not without its difficulties, especially in terms of production costs.

Ajay was shot in five foreign locations, across seven outdoor spells in India, and in Mumbai’s studios. Suneel faced financial and logistical challenges while trying to bring his vision to life.

Despite these hurdles, including navigating star tantrums, he believed the movie would be a success, although it came at a significant price.

Fallout with Sunny Deol

A central part of Suneel’s reflection on Ajay involves his fallout with Sunny Deol, which he admits had a lasting impact on him both personally and financially.

While the two had worked together on previous films, Suneel had hoped to move on from Deol to explore new male leads.

However, after Deol’s emotional appeals, Suneel agreed to work with him again, which led to financial setbacks that nearly ruined his career.

Suneel alleges that Deol assured him his money would be returned, along with compensation for his troubles. However, 27 years later, Deol has failed to live up to his promises.

Despite this, Suneel has managed to continue his career, directing numerous successful films over the years.

When asked how Deol could do this to someone who trusted him, Suneel replied cryptically, referencing “selective amnesia,” and adding that silence is often the wisest response. The issue, he notes, remains unresolved in Bombay’s courts to this day.

Bobby Deol’s Professionalism

In contrast to his relationship with Sunny Deol, Suneel speaks positively about working with Bobby Deol. The director collaborated with Bobby on three films, all of which were professional and timely.

According to Suneel, Bobby was always paid his dues promptly, unlike his older brother.

This contrast between the two Deol brothers reflects a broader issue in the industry, where powerful families can use their influence to avoid facing legal consequences.

Suneel mentions that many people have tried to raise demands for their rightful dues but often tire from the legal process, giving up on seeking justice.

A Journey of Resilience

Suneel Darshan’s journey as a director has been filled with challenges, from the ambitious production of Ajay to his complicated relationship with Sunny Deol.

Despite the setbacks and controversies, Suneel’s resilience has allowed him to continue making films and maintaining his place in the industry.

While the past remains unresolved, his career moves forward, and Ajay remains a defining film in his directorial career.