Old guard of Bollywood actor Sunny Deol, who has avoided Yash Raj Films for more than three decades, surprised the studio last week by dropping in. The move is the culmination of years of a strained relationship with YRF after the controversy surrounding the 1993 hit film Darr, when the actor felt overshadowed by co-star Shah Rukh Khan. Since then, Deol has been at arm’s length from the production house, and so his recent visit to their studios is the more important.
Meeting Mithoon, Not Signing a YRF Film
Contrary to rumors, Sunny Deol’s visit was not for signing a new YRF project but for meeting music composer Mithoon. Sources claimed that Deol had desired to seal discussions for the soundtrack of his new movie Gabru. The actor had offered to meet at his own Sunny Super Sound studio but since Mithoon was engaged with recording Border 2 at YRF, Sunny went there himself.
A source from the development revealed, “Sunny was very humble and walked into YRF without being asked. He wanted to meet regarding the vision for Gabru’s music, and as Mithoon was dealing with a big recording session, Sunny went out of his way. Their work on Gadar 2 had already laid the pace, and Sunny was sure Mithoon was the right person.”
Rekindling Creative Synergy
Mithoon, riding high on the success of YRF’s Saiyaara earlier this year, is now a part of both Border 2 and Gabru. His soulful score for Border 2 allegedly impressed Sunny, sealing their collaboration further. The two spent close to three hours brainstorming music at YRF’s studio lobby, an indication of a close creative chemistry.
From Fallout Over Darr to Fresh Beginnings
Sunny Deol’s tense relationship with Yash Raj Films goes back to Darr (1993), when he co-starred Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla. Rumors indicated Deol was not satisfied with the way the story projected SRK’s character, causing a rift with director Yash Chopra. Ever since, Sunny had kept YRF at arm’s length, so this visit was a symbolic cooling down, albeit indirectly.
Sunny Deol’s Busy Slate Ahead
After delivering the action drama Jaat earlier this year, which earned over ₹100 crore, Sunny Deol is preparing for a major comeback with Border 2. The film, directed by Anurag Singh, also stars Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, and is scheduled for a 2026 release. Additionally, Sunny is playing Lord Hanuman in Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious Ramayana, alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash.
