‘I was so moved’: Sunny Deol on why he chose Batwara 1947 and playing a Partition survivor

Set against the backdrop of the Partition of India, the film explores the lives of people caught in the aftermath of one of the most painful chapters in the country's history.

Sunny Deol on preparing for his character

Sunny Deol said he immerses himself completely in a character after hearing the subject, allowing the story and his questions about the role to keep revolving in his mind until he finds his answers.

He compared the process to AI, saying that everything eventually gets absorbed before he brings it out on set, where he focuses on keeping his performance as real as possible. 

Sunny Deol at the press conference. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

The promotional event took the actor-director duo to an educational institution, where they interacted with students and spoke about the film. They also visited the iconic Victoria Memorial during their Kolkata tour.

Sunny Deol, Karan Deol share screen

The film marks the first time Sunny Deol and his son Karan Deol have worked together as co-actors.

On collaborating with his son, Sunny said, "What is more lovely, more wonderful when a father and son can work together on the screen. But Raj (director) wanted Karan and he approached him directly and that's how it started."

He also spoke about keeping his distance while Karan was working on the sets.

"When I'm at home I hope everything is fine, he's (Karan Deol) okay, but not on the sets. On the sets I would just move away and let Raj (director) do what he has to do. And I'm sure Karan would have been even a little nervous", Deol added.

Sunny Deol dances during the Kolkata leg of his promotions. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Story set against Partition

In Batwara 1947, Sunny Deol plays Sikander Mirza, a Muslim man who is forced to leave Lucknow with his family for Lahore during the Partition of India.

The film follows families whose lives are disrupted by chaos, violence and upheaval as they depend on courage, compassion and resilience to survive a world divided by fear.

The Kolkata visit also included a stop at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's house, adding a patriotic element to the promotional tour of a film rooted in a defining period of India's history.

Santoshi praises Bengal's literary legacy

Director Rajkumar Santoshi spoke about Bengal's contribution to literature and cinema and said, "There was a time when people from other places used to come here and adapt subjects, like Sarat Chandra and Tagore, and create something from that.

"But to my disappointment, I wonder why it is that nowadays people have lost their true strength which once was used to be the greatest power, like Satyajit Ray, Tapan Sinha. I think once again Bengal can lead us with their rich literary works."

Rajkumar Santoshi and Sunny Deol. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Aamir Khan backs the film

Batwara 1947 is backed by Aamir Khan Productions. Santoshi revealed that after several years, Aamir Khan trusted the depth and potential of the story, even as several investors had previously backed out.

The film also marks Preity G Zinta's return to mainstream cinema, with the actress playing the key role of Hamida.

Sunny Deol calls film emotional

Speaking about the film, Sunny Deol said, "The whole story is very emotional and it's really hard to portray a character like this. When I first heard the subject, I was so moved that I wanted to do it. As shown in the trailer there's a dialogue where I said 'Maa se badhkar kuch nahi hota', I'm sure after watching the film, you'll go and hug your mother."

Sunny Deol interacting with journalists at a press conference. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Sunny Deol and Rajkumar Santoshi have previously collaborated on films including Ghayal, Damini and Ghatak. With Batwara 1947, the duo reunites for a story centred on Partition.

The film also features Shabana Azmi, Karan Deol and Ali Fazal, among others.

(Reporting by Aaheli Chakraborty, Photos by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)