📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Bollywood Hungama
Entertainment
Rajkumar Santoshi says Sunny Deol's Muslim role didn't hurt Batwara 1947's box‑office
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 21 Aug 2026, 05:18 AM
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Director Rajkumar Santoshi dismissed claims that Sunny Deol’s portrayal of a Muslim character hurt the box‑office performance of his historical drama ‘Batwara 1947’.
In a recent interview, veteran filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi addressed rumours that the depiction of a Muslim character by Sunny Deol had negatively impacted the earnings of his period film Batwara 1947. He said the speculation was unfounded and that the movie’s box‑office results were shaped by broader market dynamics rather than a single role.
Santoshi highlighted that Batwara 1947, set against the backdrop of India’s Partition, aims to present a balanced narrative of that turbulent era. He stressed that audiences respond to the overall storytelling, performances and production values, not the religious identity of a character.
The director also noted that the film’s promotional strategy, release timing and competition from other releases played a more decisive role in its financial outcome. He concluded that the focus should remain on the film’s artistic merit rather than on isolated character choices.
Santoshi highlighted that Batwara 1947, set against the backdrop of India’s Partition, aims to present a balanced narrative of that turbulent era. He stressed that audiences respond to the overall storytelling, performances and production values, not the religious identity of a character.
The director also noted that the film’s promotional strategy, release timing and competition from other releases played a more decisive role in its financial outcome. He concluded that the focus should remain on the film’s artistic merit rather than on isolated character choices.