![\"Ameesha](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130541178,imgsize-51274,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/ameesha_patel_relationship.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nAmeesha Patel<\/a> has recently spoken about losing out on Lagaan, calling it a decision she respected rather than resented. Reflecting on the missed opportunity, she said there was no politics involved in the casting.\u201cThere was no politics involved. Ashutosh Gowariker was very honest. He felt I looked too fair and too educated for the role\u2014my eyes couldn\u2019t hide that,\u201d she shared with Bollywood Bubble.The actress added that she had no bitterness about the decision. \u201cI didn\u2019t take it badly at all. I felt he was doing justice to his project. A director is the captain of the ship\u2014he needs to be convinced.\u201d<\/p>\n Addressing her experience of working with Shiney Ahuja, Ameesha dismissed any discomfort on set despite the controversies surrounding him later.\u201cNo, never. In fact, I even had a song with him. Initially, Shiney was the romantic lead opposite me in the film. The backstory was that my character was in love with him, but he ends up marrying Vidya. After that, I was paired with Akshay Kumar<\/a>,\u201d she explained.She also recalled the addition of her track in the film. \u201cI also had a song, Sajna Sajna, which was added a week after the film\u2019s release. But all my interactions with Shiney were purely work-related and completely professional.\u201d<\/p>\n Talking about her role in Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Ameesha said she has never witnessed Akshay Kumar using a teleprompter, despite industry chatter.\u201cI\u2019ve had two experiences working with Akshay\u2014Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Mere Jeevan Saathi. Honestly, I have never seen him use a teleprompter on set. Maybe he does it in some films\u2014I don\u2019t know\u2014but I have not experienced that personally.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Ameesha Patel Felt Betrayed<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n The actress also weighed in on the functioning of the industry, calling for a shift towards merit-driven work culture.\u201cYes, that does happen. But ideally, it shouldn\u2019t. Work should be based on honesty, talent, and merit\u2014not on availability or replaceability,\u201d she said.Highlighting the importance of writing, she added, \u201cWriting is the foundation of a good film, but writers are the least paid. That needs to change. We need to celebrate writers, encourage them, and pay them well.\u201d<\/p>\n Sharing her take on nepotism, Ameesha said the issue lies not in opportunity, but in repetition without merit.\u201cThe audience doesn\u2019t mind giving chances\u2014but not endlessly. That\u2019s where the frustration comes from. Nepotism might help you get a few films, but ultimately, you can\u2019t win audience love unless you prove yourself on merit.\u201dShe also acknowledged the prevalence of industry politics. \u201cOf course. We all have. Replacements happen all the time… Sometimes they are fair, and sometimes they aren\u2019t. It\u2019s a mix of both.\u201d<\/div>\nOn
On Akshay Kumar\u2019s process<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\u2018Focus on merit\u2019<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
On nepotism and industry politics<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n