Preity Zinta recalls Sunny Deol's funny fan moment during 'The Hero' shoot in Manali
Synopsis
On KBC Season 18, Preity Zinta recounted a moment from the Manali shoot of The Hero (2003) where a newlywed bride's unfiltered comeback about Sunny Deol left the entire crew in stitches — a rare, unscripted window into the superstar's fan frenzy at its peak.
Key Takeaways
Preity Zinta shared the anecdote on Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 .
The incident took place during the Manali shoot of The Hero: Love Story of a Spy in 2003 .
A newlywed bride semi-hugged Sunny Deol during a photo, prompting her husband's teasing remark in Punjabi.
The bride's sharp, unrehearsed comeback left Preity Zinta laughing.
The Hero: Love Story of a Spy also featured Priyanka Chopra , Amrish Puri , and Kabir Bedi .
Preity Zinta and Sunny Deol are set to reunite in the upcoming film Batwara 1947 .
Actress Preity Zinta recently shared a laugh-out-loud fan story involving Bollywood star Sunny Deol from the sets of their 2003 action thriller The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, filmed in Manali. The anecdote, recounted on the popular quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18, offered a candid glimpse into just how intensely fans adored Deol at the height of his popularity.
The Encounter That Left Everyone in Splits
Preity narrated the incident involving a newlywed Punjabi couple who came across Sunny Deol on the Manali shoot location. The bride, visibly starstruck, approached Deol and asked if she could take a photograph with him. She then pushed further, asking if she could touch him. According to Preity, Deol appeared slightly shy but obliged graciously.
As the woman's husband held the camera and the photograph was about to be taken, she grew noticeably more comfortable and spontaneously semi-hugged the actor. Her husband, watching from behind the lens, called out to her in Punjabi: 'Araam naal, araam naal, tera praa hega si' — loosely meaning, 'Easy, easy — he is like your brother.'
The Comeback That Stole the Show
The bride's instant retort was what brought the house down. She shot back with 'Praa hoga tera!' — implying that Sunny Deol might be her husband's brother, but certainly not hers. Preity recalled bursting into laughter at the response, which she described as completely unrehearsed and spontaneous.
About the Film
Directed by Anil Sharma and written by Shaktimaan Talwar, The Hero: Love Story of a Spy released in April 2003. Sunny Deol played Major Arun Khanna, an undercover Indian intelligence operative, while Preity Zinta portrayed Reshma. The film also featured Priyanka Chopra as Shaheen Zakaria in one of her early prominent Bollywood appearances, alongside veteran actors Amrish Puri and Kabir Bedi in key supporting roles.
What's Next for the Duo
The on-screen chemistry between Preity and Sunny is set to return. The two are reportedly reuniting for an upcoming film titled Batwara 1947, rekindling one of early 2000s Bollywood's well-regarded pairings. Fans of the original film are watching the collaboration closely.
Point of View
But it points to something larger: the almost mythological adoration that defined Sunny Deol's stardom in the early 2000s, particularly in North India. That a bride on her honeymoon would instinctively semi-hug him — and then defend it — says more about his cultural footprint than any box-office number. With Batwara 1947 on the horizon, nostalgia is clearly doing some heavy lifting for both stars. Whether that translates into contemporary audience pull remains the real question.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What fan story did Preity Zinta share about Sunny Deol on KBC?
Preity Zinta recounted how a newlywed Punjabi bride semi-hugged Sunny Deol during a photo on the Manali sets of The Hero (2003), prompting her husband to jokingly call out to her in Punjabi. The bride's sharp comeback left Preity in fits of laughter.
Where did Preity Zinta share this story?
She shared the anecdote during her appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18, the long-running quiz reality show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
What is The Hero: Love Story of a Spy?
It is a 2003 Bollywood action thriller directed by Anil Sharma, in which Sunny Deol played undercover agent Major Arun Khanna and Preity Zinta played Reshma. The film also featured Priyanka Chopra, Amrish Puri, and Kabir Bedi.
Are Preity Zinta and Sunny Deol working together again?
Yes, the two are reportedly set to reunite on screen in an upcoming film titled Batwara 1947.
What was the Punjabi phrase the husband used, and what did it mean?
The husband said 'Araam naal, araam naal, tera praa hega si,' meaning 'Easy, easy — he is like your brother.' His wife fired back with 'Praa hoga tera!' — implying Sunny Deol was her husband's brother, not hers.
