Sunny Deol urges audiences to watch Batwara 1947 without bias

Actor Sunny Deol believes audiences should leave behind preconceived notions before watching his upcoming film Batwara 1947. Speaking about Rajkumar Santoshi's Partition drama, the actor said the film is not trying to make a political statement or preach a message. Instead, he described it as an emotional story about ordinary people caught in one of history's darkest chapters.During a group interaction with the media in Mumbai, Deol said the makers never approached the film with the intention of taking sides or tailoring it to suit the current political climate.'We never tried to shape it for today's climate'"This is the story we're telling. The characters are exactly as they were written. We were never trying to neutralise anything or shape it according to the current climate. It is simply the story as it is," Deol said.He added that he hopes audiences become so immersed in the narrative that debates around religion or politics naturally take a backseat. "When you watch the film, you'll forget all of that. You'll become so involved in the journey that you'll come out understanding what Partition meant and how important it is to stand by yourself and your loved ones in the face of impossible circumstances," he said.Rajkumar Santoshi: This isn't a lessonDirector Rajkumar Santoshi echoed the sentiment, saying the film was never conceived as a vehicle for a social or political message. "We're not trying to give a message. This is first and foremost an emotional story. When you're carried away by the emotions of the characters, you don't stop to think whether someone is Hindu or Muslim. You see them as human beings," he said.According to Santoshi, the film reflects the duality of Partition, where humanity and brutality coexisted."Partition showed both sides of humanity. Human beings displayed extraordinary courage and made incredible sacrifices. But human beings were also capable of the most horrific acts. Both existed at the same time, and both are part of this film," he said.He added that the team's priority was to tell an honest and engaging story rather than make an ideological statement."I'm not saying this is how things should be or shouldn't be. This isn't a lesson. We wanted to make a good film. People should enjoy it, become involved in it, and forget everything happening around them while they're watching," he said.'We were simply telling a story'Asked whether the film was made with Pakistani audiences in mind, Deol said such considerations never influenced the creative process."We never thought about it that way. We heard this story back in 2010 and wanted to make it ever since. We weren't making it based on today's atmosphere or political climate. We were making a story. I've never thought too much about these things because there is no malice in our intentions," he said. Reflecting on the legacy of Partition, Deol said the greatest tragedy was the suffering endured by ordinary people."The most heartbreaking thing is that it should never have happened because innocent people are the ones who suffer. It is always innocent people who pay the price," he said.Deol said he hopes audiences walk away remembering Batwara 1947 as a story of resilience rather than one defined by borders or faith."If audiences connect with the people in the film, they'll see what we saw in the story. They won't see religion first. They'll see humanity," he said.Also starring Preity Zinta, Batwara 1947 is scheduled to release in theatres on August 14, 2026.- EndsPublished On: Aug 6, 2026 09:32 IST