Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 9: Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta are set to reunite on the big screen with director Rajkumar Santoshi’s upcoming Partition drama Batwara 1947, earlier titled Lahore 1947. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on August 14.

Reports suggest that the film has been made on an estimated budget of Rs 150 crore, with Sunny Deol reportedly receiving Rs 60 crore for his role. Preity Zinta is said to have been paid around Rs 10 crore for the film, which marks her return to a substantial leading role after a long gap.

The film reunites Sunny and Preity several years after their collaborations in The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Farz and Bhaiaji Superhit. Veteran actress Shabana Azmi is also part of the cast, while Ali Fazal is reportedly making a special appearance and is said to have received Rs 7 crore.

Batwara 1947 is inspired by playwright Asghar Wajahat’s acclaimed Urdu play Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya O Jamyai Nai. Set in Lahore in the aftermath of the 1947 Partition, the film explores displacement, communal tensions and the human relationships that emerge amid political upheaval.

The story revolves around a Muslim family that moves into a mansion formerly occupied by a Hindu family. However, they discover that the elderly Hindu matriarch who lived there has remained behind and refuses to leave the home she considers hers. Their initial differences gradually give way to an unexpected bond, forming the emotional core of the story.

The cast also includes Karan Deol, Kanika Kapur and Abhimanyu Singh. The film is backed by Aamir Khan Productions, with Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit serving as producers. AR Rahman has composed the music, while Javed Akhtar has written the lyrics.

The project also marks another collaboration between Santoshi and Sunny Deol, who have previously worked together on several films. Batwara 1947 is set to face Emraan Hashmi-starrer Awarapan 2 at the box office.