India, June 15 -- Ek Prem Katha (2001) completes 25 years today, actor Ameesha Patel reflects on the film's lasting impact and the journey that led her to play Sakina. The actor reveals that she was initially unsure about being cast opposite Sunny Deol because of their age difference. "The first question I asked was, 'Do you not think I'm very young for the film?' The hero paired opposite me was way senior to me romantically," she recalls, adding, "Once they explained the story, I understood the contrast between Tara Singh's ruggedness and Sakina's refinement."

Recalling how she landed the role of Sakina, Ameesha shares that the competition was intense, with nearly 500 contenders auditioning for the part. After being selected, she immers...