Ameesha Patel, known for her affluent South Bombay upbringing, says her love of luxury began long before her Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai debut.
In Farah Khan’s vlog a few months ago, she revealed she owns nearly 400 designer bags — including Birkins, Diors, and Hermès — worth crores, joking that she “could have bought a penthouse in Mumbai” instead.
In a new interview with Zoom, Patel said her collection reflects both passion and hard work.
“You work hard and choose where to spend your money. It’s your decision,” she noted, adding that she doesn’t judge others’ choices.
Luxury, she said, was part of her upbringing: “As a schoolgirl, my backpack was a designer bag. I traveled widely at a young age and saw my mother and aunts carry pieces you won’t even find in stores today - beautiful, limited editions.”
She credits the women in her family for shaping her eye: “They took pride in elegance. Even my grandmother changed her saree three times a day at home.”
Patel added that she was ahead of the curve: “I used these brands when most people in India couldn’t even pronounce them. People tell me they’ve only seen such clothes and bags in magazines. I don’t do it to show off — my bag has to be perfect even if I don’t step out for two days.”
Despite her privileged background, she insists wealth wasn’t her focus in Bollywood: “Your good work should be the nucleus; everything else follows.”
She highlighted her family’s work ethic: “Our elders still go to the office at 80 — come rain or shine.”
Fresh off Gadar 2, Patel is prepping Gadar 3 and an untitled 1945-set period action drama, signaling a continued return to mainstream cinema.