Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

10 Reasons Why We Love Sunny Deol

March 31, 2014 10:00 IST
Sunny Deol in Damini

Here's why we love this Jat with the dhaai kilo ka haath.

More than three decades ago, a shy, handsome star son like many other poised star sons began his innings in Bollywood.

Unlike most, it wasn’t long before he got out of his charismatic father’s shadow and carved a niche of his own through powerful performances that left an indelible imprint on viewers.

Through his award-winning highs and illness-ridden lows, he charted the course of his career by constantly springing a surprise or two. He may not be part of the rat race but his loyal following still swears by his famed 'dhaai kilo ka haath'.

Here are 10 things we love about the Dishkyaoon hero.

His dialogues

From stirring a courtroom with his 'tareekh pe tareekh' grievances in Damini to sizing up Balwant Rai’s 'kutton' in Ghayal, Sunny’s power-packed dialoguebaazi is always a reason for deafening applause within the theatre.

Please click Next to see more.

His muscles

March 31, 2014 10:00 IST
Sunny Deol in Ghayal

There’s no shortage of beefcakes in Bollywood but Sunny’s rippling biceps radiate raw, ruthless vigour that talk business, serious business.

His threats

March 31, 2014 10:00 IST
Sunny Deol and Amrish Puri in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha

'Judge ‘order, order’ karta rahega aur tu pit-ta rahega, pit-ta rahega.'

With great power come greater intimidating skills.

And nobody terrorizes better than Sunny Deol.

From Amrish Puri to Shah Rukh Khan, they’ve all been at the receiving end of the Betaab hero’s ire.

His eyes

March 31, 2014 10:00 IST
Sunny Deol

Often likened to his idol Sylvester Stallone in his early years, Sunny Deol’s best feature is not his physique.

It’s his striking, soulful eyes and their vulnerability is highlighted most effectively by the likes of J P Dutta and Rahul Rawail in films like Yateem and Arjun.

His patriotic fervour

March 31, 2014 10:00 IST
Sunny Deol in Border

What do Border, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Maa Tujhe Salaam, Indian, Hero: Love Story of a Spy and Heroes reaffirm?

That nobody loves Mother India as passionately (or as vocally) as this Deol.

After all, he single-handedly beat the entire army of a neighbouring nation and howled loud and clear, 'Hindustan zindabad hai, zindabad tha aur zindabad rahega.'

His romantic side

March 31, 2014 10:00 IST
Sunny Deol and Juhi Chawla in Darr

Whether he’s buying beer for Sridevi in Chaalbaaz, carrying Juhi Chawla and climbing multiple stairs across the threshold in Darr, building a farm with Amrita Singh in Betaab or gently comforting a tipsy Dimple Kapadia in Manzil Manzil, Sunny can be quite the charmer.

His unBollywood temperament

March 31, 2014 10:00 IST
Sunny Deol in Hero: Love Story Of A Spy

Despite his industry child roots, Sunny’s complete lack of filmi pretensions, private reserve and disarming simplicity makes him a welcome change from the I, Me, Myself marketing bandwagon.

His funny dance

March 31, 2014 10:00 IST
Sunny Deol, Dharmendra and Bobby Deol in Yamla Pagla Deewana

This Jat has left a memorable impression with his fists and fury. Strangely, so have his famous two left feet.

Be it the foot-stomping session in Jeet or that awkward take on his father Dharmendra’s trademark step in Yamla Pagla Deewana, Sunny’s ‘so bad, it’s good’ dancing never fails to amuse.

His pointy finger

March 31, 2014 10:00 IST
A collage of Sunny Deol photographs

A far cry from his calm persona off screen, Sunny’s not a guy you want to mess with on it. See the pattern in these pictures, if you know what we mean?

His love for 'Apne'

March 31, 2014 10:00 IST
Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby Deol on the cover of People Magazine

The Deols-- Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby Deol -- are a close-knit family and Sunny takes the ideal elder son’s role quite seriously. Their warmth translates on their big screen adventures like Apne and Yamla Pagla Deewana as well.

Soft-spoken Sunny might not be too demonstrative but he’s as protective and loving towards his extended Deol parivar including cousin Abhay and half sisters, Esha and Ahana.