The multi-starrer political drama Raajneeti (2010) completed 16 years on June 4. The film is remembered for its compelling subject, power-packed execution by Prakash Jha, music and ensemble cast. All the principal actors in the film – Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Ajay Devgn, Nana Patekar, Arjun Rampal and Naseeruddin Shah – did a great job. Another actor who also left a mark was Sarah Thompson. She played the role of Sarah, the US-based girlfriend of Samar Pratap (Ranbir Kapoor). In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, conducted in June 2025, on the occasion of Raajneeti’s 15th anniversary, Sarah Thompson went down memory lane and spoke about the film and a lot more. In the first part, she spoke about how she bagged the role and her experience on the sets. In the second and final part, she opened up on what happened during the promotions and after the release and the bomb blast sequence.

16 Years of Raajneeti EXCLUSIVE: Sarah Thompson recalls shooting the brutal bomb blast scene: “It was hard to see myself that way”; reveals “I watched the movie 3 times without understanding all of it as there was no subtitles”

Your character dies brutally in a bomb blast. How was shooting that scene?

There were a lot of prosthetics. I recently saw a picture of myself in the makeup, smiling (laughs). I remember it took a very long time to put that makeup on. They messed up my hair too. I remember it being kind of eerie. I had never died in a film before, especially in that manner. Even though I was in the scene, it was hard to see myself that way. Knowing that things like this happen was also hard to imagine. But they did such a great job on the makeup. I even showed that photo to my kids. I told them, ‘Guys, look what I did in a movie once. Look at what they did to me’! They are old enough to understand that it was not real. They both exclaimed, ‘Oh my gosh, mama’ (laughs).

I remember it was lunch time and I was eating with all that makeup. If anybody had walked by and didn’t know that I was filming a movie, they would have been shocked and wondered, ‘What in the world has happened to me’ (laughs).

You were prominently displayed on the posters of the film. Were you pleasantly surprised?

I attended the premiere. There were separate posters of each of us and there was one for me as well. I had never seen a poster that big. It was hanging from the ceiling and coming down all the way. I have never been a part of anything like that. I remember looking at it and telling myself, ‘You’ve got to remember this moment, Sarah, because this likely won’t come again in this way’. After all, there are not many roles for Americans in Bollywood’. Just that experience itself was incredible. And when I was included in the main poster, I was really excited. When they told me they wanted me to be a part of the press tour to Oman, Hong Kong etc., my jaw dropped (smiles).

The press tour turned out to be incredible. My husband accompanied me, which was really fun. I got a chance to go to places that I would never have gone to, like Muscat and Oman. I loved that I went there; it was wonderful. Getting that opportunity to travel with the film and travel in style was fun (laughs). I didn’t take it for granted. I knew how special it was and I tried to soak it all in. This was not an opportunity most actors in the US get. I am still so grateful.

How was the experience of watching the film?

I saw the film thrice in India. I saw an early screening and then I attended the premiere. I asked the team if they would take me to a regular theatre to see it. But here’s the thing – there were no English subtitles in all three shows! I knew a little Hindi at the time. I studied Hindi for a year; so I knew the language a little but not enough to understand the movie very well. Even though I knew what was happening as I had read the script, I found it funny that I sat through the movie three times without understanding all of it. It wasn’t until my fourth time watching the film in Los Angeles that I was able to watch with subtitles (laughs).

Are you still in touch with anyone from the team of Raajneeti?

I still talk to Prakash once in a while. I became close to his daughter (Dishaa Jhaa), and we are in constant touch. Prakash travelled to Los Angeles a few years ago, when I last saw him. It’s tough when you are not in the same country. But we do keep in touch. Now that I have spoken to you, I’ll reach out to him and drop a message. I kept in touch with others for a while, too. I would love to go back and meet some of the people I have worked with.

How do you look back at Raajneeti after all these years?

Whenever people ask me about my acting career, I say that it was probably the highlight of my work. It was a really magical experience. I love to travel and I respect the Bollywood art form and the film industry in India. Getting to work in a brand-new place in a Hindi film with all these amazing people is something I would remember forever. I only wish I could do more.

How was your life and career after Raajneeti?

I kept working here. I took a bunch of years off when I had my kids. I had my first child, my daughter, a couple of years after Raajneeti and then I had my son. They are 7 and 11 years old (as of June 2025). My husband also travels a lot for his job. I decided to stay home with them. Now I have started working and I am on this show, which was released on Apple, Your Friends And Neighbours. I also have a role in another show coming out on HBO, It: Welcome To Derry (released in October 2025). So, I am mostly working on TV as that’s what I had mostly done prior to Raajneeti. Its extra fun to go back to it after taking this time off (smiles). It connects me back to a huge piece of myself. I had acted my whole life and I love it. Hence, it’s really a joy doing it again.

Did you get any offers in Bollywood after Raajneeti?

No. I remember I had an agent in India at that time. There was an offer to do ‘Dancing With The Stars India’ (‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’). But the timing didn’t work out as I was working on something in the States. I made it known to my agent that I would love to do another Bollywood film, but he said that there were just not that many roles for Americans. I guess there are not tons and tons of roles for me. That’s fine. If something comes my way, I would be thrilled, but meanwhile, I am finding stuff to do here.

Did you continue to see Hindi films?

I followed Ranbir’s career. It’s just fun to watch the evolution of his career. I don’t go to films as much anymore as that theatre closed in Los Angeles and moreover, now, I have two kids. Now, I am here (in New York) and I have taken my kids a couple of times. It’s been really fun introducing my kids to Bollywood as my daughter is a dancer. Obviously, there is not much dancing in Raajneeti. But I have shown her the other films with great dance numbers. She was like ‘What is this style of dancing. This is amazing’!

In one scene, we see your character buying a saree from a shop. Did you buy one before returning to the States?

Yes, I bought home one. I even got some kurtas; my husband also has one. My husband also bought one sherwani; that’s what it’s called right? We still have all the clothing. My kids feel those clothes are cool.

I was invited to an Indian wedding a few years ago. I was like, ‘I have something to wear’ (laughs). The clothing is so beautiful. The beads are hand-sewn. I was just cleaning up my dresser last week and I found them. I was so happy that I have them (smiles). I have one in pink, green and red.  In India, I wore one during Diwali. It was one of the greatest nights ever!

How many days did you shoot Raajneeti for?

I was there for six weeks, though I didn’t work everyday. I came back to do all the dubbing, which took a week. Then I returned for the premiere and the press tour.

Any final thoughts?

I am genuinely grateful that I am a small part of Bollywood history. It was really one of the best works and life experiences I have ever had. I loved meeting so many great people. I am still in touch with Sikandar, the tour guide. He was so kind. His mother cooked a home-made meal for us one evening. We are friends on Facebook. Meeting people like that was really special.

All my American friends, who were actors, said, ‘How did you pull this off?’! It was just luck. All the pieces just fell together properly (smiles).

More Pages: Raajneeti Box Office Collection , Raajneeti Movie Review

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