In an interview, the director of Akshaye Khanna’s film Ikka, Siddharth P Malhotra, discusses what he says is Sunny Deol’s lasting appeal and working style. He describes the level of respect Sunny Deol receives, noting what he calls a “rare ’90s kids” admiration for the actor. Malhotra adds that Sunny Deol can still appear shy around women in his personal demeanor. At the same time, the director says Deol is very different on set, suggesting a contrasting professionalism and energy during filming. Both accounts attribute these observations to Malhotra and frame them as reflections from the production experience behind the film. The reported remarks focus on Deol’s public image, personality traits off-camera, and his on-set behavior, without introducing new plot details. The interview highlights how the director perceives Deol’s character as a performer across different contexts, blending audience nostalgia with workplace impressions from the production of Ikka.