Sunny Deol's F1 dream crushed by Dharmendra's protective instinct
Synopsis
Sunny Deol wanted to race in Formula 1 — but Dharmendra said no. The actor's candid admission on Kaun Banega Crorepati peels back the curtain on a famously guarded Bollywood household, revealing that the man synonymous with on-screen fearlessness was kept well away from real-world risk as a young man.
Key Takeaways
Sunny Deol revealed on Kaun Banega Crorepati that he once aspired to be a professional Formula 1 racing driver.
Father Dharmendra 's protective nature prevented Deol from pursuing racing or other sports in his youth.
Host Amitabh Bachchan drew out the admission during the episode, which also featured Aamir Khan and Preity Zinta .
Deol made his acting debut with Betaab in 1983 and went on to deliver iconic roles in Damini , Border , and Gadar: Ek Prem Katha .
The KBC appearance was tied to the promotion of his upcoming film Batwara 1947 .
Bollywood action star Sunny Deol has revealed that a childhood dream of becoming a professional Formula 1 racing driver was cut short — not by lack of talent, but by the protective instincts of his legendary father, veteran actor Dharmendra. The disclosure came during Deol's appearance on the quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati, where host Amitabh Bachchan drew out the candid admission.
The Revelation on KBC
Bachchan opened the conversation by asking Deol about rumours of his racing ambitions: 'Sunny ji humne sunna hai ki aap ek racing driver hona chahtein thein? Formula 1 wagera..' (Sunny, we heard that you wanted to be a racing driver? Formula 1?). Deol confirmed the passion, recounting how a deep love for driving was one of several sporting interests that never got off the ground at home.
In his own words, Deol explained: 'Haan, mujhe aise bahot shauk thein, driving ka to bahut shauk tha, jaise aap jaante hi hain, papa humarein ghar mai kahi bhi, kuch bhi aisey kuch karna chahein, whether we want to do sports or anything, at that time because of protection… ijjazat nahi milti thi.. so beech mein hi rehgaya.' (Yes, I had a passion for such things. I was particularly passionate about driving. But as you know, in our house, whenever we wanted to pursue sports or anything like that, because of father's protective nature... we didn't get permission. So that dream just remained incomplete.)
Dharmendra's Protective Household
The anecdote offers a rare glimpse into the Deol family's private dynamics. Dharmendra, one of Hindi cinema's most enduring superstars, reportedly maintained a cautious household where physical risk — whether through motorsport or other activities — was not encouraged. Deol indicated this applied broadly to sports and adventure pursuits, not just racing.
This comes amid a broader cultural conversation about how star families in Bollywood navigate the tension between public personas of fearlessness and private parental anxiety. Notably, Sunny Deol built his entire screen identity around physical daring — making the revelation of a guarded upbringing all the more striking.
Sunny Deol's Cinematic Journey
The actor made his debut with Betaab in 1983 and steadily built one of Hindi cinema's most recognisable action careers. Films such as Arjun, Tridev, Ghayal, Damini, Ghatak: Lethal, Border, Ziddi, and Indian cemented his standing as a box-office force.
His portrayal of a lawyer in Damini produced the iconic courtroom line 'Tarikh pe tarikh' — arguably the most quoted dialogue of his career. His performance as Tara Singh in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha crossed over from cinema into cultural folklore. Other notable titles include Jeet, Darr, Yeh Dillagi, Apne, Singh Saab The Great, and Chup Chup Ke.
The KBC Episode and Co-Stars
Deol appeared on the Kaun Banega Crorepati episode alongside his Batwara 1947 team members, which included actors Aamir Khan and Preity Zinta. The episode drew attention not only for the film's promotion but for the personal disclosures Deol made under Bachchan's characteristically gentle questioning.
With Batwara 1947 in the pipeline, Deol's candid moment on national television is likely to keep him in the public conversation well beyond the show's broadcast.
Point of View
But it quietly complicates the Sunny Deol mythology. Here is an actor whose entire brand rests on raw, unfiltered physicality — the 'dhaai kilo ka haath', the uprooted hand-pump — yet his formative years were defined by paternal caution. That contradiction is more interesting than the F1 detail itself. It also raises a question mainstream coverage will skip: how many children of Bollywood's first generation were steered away from non-film ambitions, and what did Indian sport lose as a result? Dharmendra's protectiveness was personal, but the pattern it reflects — celebrity families funnelling talent into cinema rather than sport — is structural.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sunny Deol reveal on Kaun Banega Crorepati?
Sunny Deol revealed that he had always been passionate about driving and had aspired to become a professional Formula 1 racing driver. He said his father Dharmendra's protective nature meant he never received permission to pursue racing or other risky sports, leaving the dream incomplete.
Why did Dharmendra stop Sunny Deol from pursuing F1 racing?
According to Deol, Dharmendra was extremely protective and did not allow his children to engage in sports or activities he considered risky. Deol did not cite a specific incident but described it as a general household rule rooted in his father's concern for their safety.
Who appeared with Sunny Deol on the KBC episode?
Sunny Deol was joined on the Kaun Banega Crorepati episode by his Batwara 1947 co-stars Aamir Khan and Preity Zinta. The appearance was part of the promotional campaign for the film.
What are Sunny Deol's most iconic films?
Sunny Deol is best known for Betaab (1983), Ghayal, Damini, Border, and Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. His courtroom dialogue 'Tarikh pe tarikh' from Damini and his portrayal of Tara Singh in Gadar are considered defining moments of his career.
What is Batwara 1947?
Batwara 1947 is an upcoming film featuring Sunny Deol alongside Aamir Khan and Preity Zinta. The cast appeared together on Kaun Banega Crorepati to promote the project.
