'Batwara 1947': Santoshi hosts screening for spiritual leaders

'Batwara 1947': Rajkumar Santoshi hosts special screening for spiritual leaders across faiths

Mumbai, August 21

Speaking to ANI after the screening, Santoshi said the film was first watched by his friend Omaji, who was deeply impressed.

"I have a friend, Omaji. He was one of the first people to watch the film, and he liked it very much. Then he spoke to Mufti Sahab and told him about the story of the film. Mufti Sahab became very emotional and was eager to watch it. So, he showed the film to him," Santoshi told ANI.

"He was very impressed by the film. He said, "This is a very important film. You have shown great courage in making such a film today," he added.

The Sunny-Deol starrer also struck an emotional chord with moviegoers in Mumbai, with many of them lauding its patriotic theme, Partition-era narrative and performances, especially those of Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, and Shabana Azmi.

Earlier, a moviegoer who watched the film described it as "very good, very emotional, and heart-touching", saying the movie offered a glimpse into the hardships people endured during the Partition and Independence. "It felt great to see the reality of what people had to endure during the time of partition and independence. It's a very good movie," she told ANI.

Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced under Aamir Khan Productions, 'Batwara 1947' stars Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi, Karan Deol, Ali Fazal and Abhimanyu Singh in key roles.

Set during the 1947 Partition, the film follows a family whose lives change as violence, fear and forced migration affect communities that had lived together. The film's music has been composed by AR Rahman, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar.

— ANI