Married for 39 years and counting – Sunny Deol and wife Pooja Deol are a true example of the saying, “Live a true love story, and tell no one”! Publicity and the spotlight have failed to affect the lives of these love birds, who have spent almost four decades together, yet are rarely spotted together publicly – a trait many celebrity couples lack!
“True love stands the test of time!” Sunny Deol and Pooja Deol’s life events have proved the same and defied all relationship troubles that couples of this day and age face. Long distance relationships, extramarital affairs or cultural gaps, you name it, the couple has witnessed it all. The rumours and speculations that could break even the strongest of relationships have failed to affect the bond of this extraordinary couple!Â
The Beginnings
Sunny Deol, originally named Ajay Singh Deol, entered the world as the son of famed actor Dharmendra and mother Prakash Kaur. He was born on October 19, 1957. His entry into the acting world was marked by his debut in the successful film “Betaab” (1983), where he starred alongside Amrita Singh in a romantic narrative. It marked the inception of his journey as one of Bollywood’s revered action icons. His subsequent ventures, including “Arjun” (1985), “Tridev” (1989), and “Ghayal” (1990), solidified his stature as an action luminary.
It was “Ghayal” that fetched him his inaugural award, and he continued to shine in films such as “Damini” (1993), “Ghatak” (1996), “Ziddi” (1997), and “Border” (1997). While he ventured into directing with “Dillagi” (1999), the film fell short of expected success. As the 2000s unfolded, he left an indelible mark with hits like “Gadar” (2001), “Apne” (2007), and “Yamla Pagla Deewana” (2011), the latter featuring his father Dharmendra and brother Bobby Deol.
Sunny’s versatility shone in the romantic drama “Darr” (1993), where he starred opposite Shah Rukh Khan. His directorial effort “Heroes” (2008) conveyed a message of resilience and tenacity. His recent film “Gadar 2” (2023) was a significant hit at the box office. Sunny Deol’s political journey saw him joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in April 2019, leading to a triumphant victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the Gurdaspur constituency.Â
Sunny Deol’s wife, Pooja Deol, also known as Lynda Deol, complements her renowned spouse, Sunny Deol. She was born on September 21, 1957, in England. With an intriguing lineage as the daughter of Indian father Krishan Dev Mahal and British mother Sarah Mahal, she boasts a rich tapestry of experiences. Not only is she a proficient writer, but she has also woven her presence into the fabric of the Indian film industry.Â
Pooja is the proud mother of two sons, Karan Deol and Rajvir Deol. Pooja has fostered a warm rapport with Sunny’s sisters, Ajeeta Deol and Vijeta Deol. Her literary prowess extends to collaboration with brother-in-law Bobby Deol, father-in-law Dharmendra, and husband Sunny, as witnessed in the creation of “Yamla Pagla Deewana 2.”
A Secret Wedding
Amid the fame and stardom, some celebrity couples prefer keeping their private lives to themselves. Similar was the case of Pooja and Sunny Deol. To date, Pooja Deol remains a mystery to Deol fans. In 1984, a year after the actor’s Bollywood debut, Sunny and Pooja tied the knot in a typical Punjabi wedding. Reportedly, Pooja had opted for a traditional red bridal saree for their wedding, and Sunny had complimented her in a cream sherwani.
Theirs was a hush-hush wedding ceremony, away from the glamour and glitters of the cinema world in London. After the wedding, Pooja continued to stay in London. And the Deols never addressed the issue, and they wanted to hide Sunny’s wedding. They thought his marriage could affect his career in the film industry as he was a newcomer. The separation began the journey of their long-distance relationship.
Sunny Deol has been reportedly spotted visiting London numerous times after his secret wedding to Pooja Deol. Despite all efforts to hide his nuptials, a magazine spilled the details in 1984 with a picture of the couple’s wedding on the cover. The news was alarming for people in the film fraternity for numerous reasons.Â
In 1990, the couple got blessed with their first child, Karan Deol. The family of three got completed with the arrival of their second son, Rajvir Singh Deol. While Karan Deol followed his father’s footsteps and joined films, Rajvir is yet to choose his career path. However, people have not learned much about Pooja Deol in the last forty years.
The Marital StrifeÂ
As the years passed in their marriage, Pooja and Sunny found themselves at odds, mainly due to Sunny’s brusque and heedless demeanour towards their relationship. Rumours abounded concerning Sunny’s alleged extramarital liaisons with his co-stars, such as Amrita Singh and Dimple Kapadia.
Consequently, Pooja endeavoured to maintain a low profile. Although her dissatisfaction with her husband was evident, she found solace in the support of her in-laws, ultimately leading to resolving their differences. During the film ‘Betaab’ production, Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh shared intimate scenes that gave rise to a burgeoning romantic connection.Â
Amrita Singh fell in love with Sunny, although he refrained from publicly acknowledging their relationship. Amrita Singh’s mother disapproved of their entanglement, and when Sunny’s behaviour took an inexplicable turn, Amrita Singh took it upon herself to investigate. She uncovered Sunny’s erratic conduct and frequent trips to London were related to his wife, Pooja. This revelation left Amrita heartbroken.Â
Moreover, Sunny Deol was allegedly involved with Dimple Kapadia alongside his marriage to Pooja. Reportedly, Sunny Deol occupied a significant role in Dimple Kapadia’s life. His influence extended beyond capturing her affection; he also carved out a unique niche within the hearts of her daughters. Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna, Dimple Kapadia’s daughters, went so far as to affectionately refer to him as “chhote papa,” underscoring his special bond with the family.
Awaiting ‘Ruby Anniversary’
Despite all rumours and challenges, the Deols celebrate their love and commitment. The lives of celebrities are an open book, and throughout their lives, they strive to maintain the scales of privacy and publicity. How far are these allegations of affairs true? We are still determining the answer. However, marriage’s close union and sustenance to date is the testament of true love!
As they await their ruby anniversary next year, there is a vivid symbolism – the ruby stone signifies passion, strength, and the fire of love – in the case of Sunny and Pooja, the symbolism couldn’t be more apt. They have genuinely withstood the troubled waters and the test of time. Their union is a reminder that no relationship, no matter how strong, is immune to the waves that life can bring.
So if you are still wondering how couples survive so long to celebrate their silver, ruby or gold anniversaries together, Sunny Deol and Pooja Deol are a living example. Such stories are a great inspiration in today’s times, where couples are seen giving up on their union amidst minor rifts and differences in their relationship. Let’s celebrate their lasting love with the hope that we see more such inspiring unions who have held their head high and their love strong amid life’s turbulences.Â
