Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna recently appeared together in the Netflix film ‘Ikka’, which also featured Dia Mirza, Tillotama Shome, and Sanjeeda Shaikh in important roles. Directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra, the film received a positive response from viewers after its release on the streaming platform.In a recent conversation, Sanjeeda Shaikh spoke about her experience working on ‘Ikka’ and shared the important professional lessons she picked up while observing Sunny Deol on set.Speaking to Hindustan Times, Sanjeeda recalled being deeply impressed by Sunny’s commitment to his work, especially during the film’s final schedule, which he attended despite the personal loss of his father, veteran actor Dharmendra.She said, “I remember Sunny sir coming for the shoot. Dharam sir had just passed. And I would say kya professionalism hai yaar! Iss level pe aa ke toh bol bhi sakte hain na ki ‘Yaar ek hafta, das din shoot band rakho, main nahi aata aaj set par kyunki I don’t feel like shooting.’ (At his level, he could have said, ‘Please keep the shoot closed for a week or ten days, I’m not coming to the set today because I don’t feel like shooting.) But no, that man used to come to the set, do his work, and leave. Toh bahut kuch seekhne ko milta hai (I learnt a lot from him).”The actress further shared that working alongside established performers in her recent projects, including ‘Dhamaal 4’ and ‘Ikka’, gave her valuable insights into the discipline and dedication required in the industry. She mentioned learning from actors such as Sunny Deol, Ajay Devgn, and Akshaye Khanna by simply watching their approach towards their craft.Sanjeeda added, “All of them, they just come and do their work so professionally. These are accomplished actors. They don’t come to the set with any burden. They are so great that you learn a lot just by watching them ki aap jitna humble rahoge na, utna hi zyada tikoge industry mein.”She highlighted that the humility, consistency, and professionalism displayed by senior actors left a lasting impact on her and shaped her perspective about longevity in the entertainment industry.Dharmendra passed away on November 24, 2025, shortly before his 90th birthday.
