The daughter of one of Bombay's wealthiest families, Amisha Patel often highlights her dedication to the craft by pointing out that she is hardly acting for the money.

     Amisha also takes pride in her brains, having graduated with a BA in Economics from Tufts University in Boston, MA, USA. In a recent interview with Filmfare Online, she was asked to share her opinion about a scandal involving her costar Salman Khan, and her favorite preoccupations factored heavily in her response:

     "Well I can't comment because I don't know how true [the allegations] are. He was great towards me. He was very helpful, very lovable, very sweet. I didn't find anything wrong with him at all. Maybe I also command a certain respect from people and they know their limitations as well. People also know that I'm not here because of the money or... They know my background. They know the difference between people. And intelligence always intimidates a man. But he was very friendly, very warm."

  • Amisha is engaged in an ongoing print war with Kareena Kapoor, sister of Karisma and daughter of the Kapoor acting dynasty. Where Kareena is blunt on the matter, Amisha opts for subtlety:

    "'I was hoping to bag Sooraj Barjatya's next film [Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, in which Kareena will co-star with Hrithik Roshan]. It upsets me when I'm bypassed for all the important assignments with Hrithik, especially because we have the success of Kaho Naa... behind us...' Amisha also feels that film-makers like Subhash Ghai and Karan Johar haven't taken notice of her. 'It's not because I lack talent," she says. "Maybe it's because I don't have a magic surname or a Miss World title. Kareena and Aishwarya are beautiful and talented. I don't grudge them their success. But it hurts when I lose a project to either of them because I'm equally qualified.'" (Filmfare, Jan 2001)

  • Kareena alleges that Amisha's mother, who has now entered acting herself, is spreading false tales about Kareena. (For more, visit Kareena's bio.)

  • Amisha has openly expressed frustration over the fact that the bulk of the attention for the 2000 blockbuster film Kaho Na...Pyaar Hai went to her costar, Hrithik Roshan. "All the credit [for] Kaho Naa... went to Hrithik. No one gave me my dues." (Filmfare, Sep 2001) "Relationships in this industry are a matter of convenience. When Hrithik Roshan became successful, he found himself surrounded by a whole lot of new friends. Naturally, old friends like me have been sidelined." (Filmfare, Jan 2001)

  • On this, at least, Kareena Kapoor -- who was initially to make her debut in Amisha's KNPH role -- agrees with her: "The film is such a huge success so I would have definitely become a star. But I don't know if I want to be labeled as just a star. There is a new star every Friday. I'd rather be known as an actress, and that would have not been possible if I had done Kaho Naa Pyar Hai... The film was made for Hrithik. His dad spent five hours on every frame and close-up of his, whereas not even five seconds were spent on Amisha. There are portions in the film where she has pimples and under-eye bags on her face. She just doesn't look beautiful, but every shot of his was a dream. If I were in the film, I would have definitely got a better deal, but I still feel that the attention would have divided between us. So, I'm glad I didn't do the film." (Filmfare)

  • Amisha hates smoking. Recently, while on set, she heatedly upbraided Akshaye Khanna, a chain smoker, for his indulgence in the vice: "On the sets of Abbas Mustan's Humraaz, Khanna, a chain smoker, was blowing smoke rings while reading a book in a corner. Amisha, who wasn't even close by, got so wild that she instantly started lecturing the poor guy on the ill effects of the cancer stick. A cool as cucumber Akshaye just smiled through the entire attack but the tirade did achieve its purpose. Akshaye has vowed never to light a fag in the presence of Amisha." Incidentally, rumor has it that Amisha and Akshaye dated during their teenage years, so perhaps her distaste is motivated by affectionate concern for an old flame's health. (Hindustan Times, March 7, 2002)

  • But she's not sore about being passed over for the lead in Hrithik's next movie with the director of KNPH (incidentally, his father): "I'm old enough to understand that I may not be suitable for every role that's going around. I definitely wasn't suitable for Koi Mil Gaya. The role requires the girl to be older and mature. Hrithik is very childlike, the girl has to mother him. I don't think the audience would have accepted me in that role. Hrithik and I are a romantic pair." (Filmfare, Jan 2002). We can only wonder if Preity Zinta appreciates that rationale!

Amisha Patel
born: June 9, 1979
height: 5' 4"