Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Sunny Deol and Shabana Azmi Revisit Gadar Dispute
Sunny Deol and Shabana Azmi acted together in a film called Batwara 1947.
They had disagreed about another film more than 20 years earlier.
That earlier film was Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.
Shabana said Gadar handled nationalism, religion and Partition in a troubling way.
She also said it presented Muslims as outsiders.
Sunny disagreed and said her comments were unfair and inflammatory.
He pointed to the film’s success as evidence that audiences accepted it.
Their new film brings the two actors together again despite their old disagreement.
Shabana Azmi criticised Gadar: Ek Prem Katha in 2001 for its treatment of nationalism, religion, identity and Partition’s pain.
She called the film “provocative” for positioning Muslims as “the Other.”
Sunny Deol said he was disappointed by Azmi’s remarks and defended the film against her criticism.
Deol argued that Gadar’s success and public acceptance showed there was nothing wrong with it.
The actors later reunited onscreen in Batwara 1947, which released in theatres on August 14.
- Who
- Actors Sunny Deol and Shabana Azmi.
- What
- Their renewed onscreen collaboration recalls their opposing views about Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.
- When
- The disagreement dates to 2001; Batwara 1947 released in theatres on August 14.
- Where
- Batwara 1947 was released in theatres; the article does not specify a location.
- Why
- Shabana Azmi criticised Gadar’s treatment of nationalism, religion, identity and Partition, while Sunny Deol defended the film.
Shabana Azmi’s Criticism
Sunny Deol’s Defense
Treatment of Partition and identity
Shabana Azmi’s Criticism
Azmi said the film confused nationalism, religion and identities without addressing the complexities of Partition’s pain.
Sunny Deol’s Defense
Deol rejected the criticism and said the film’s public acceptance demonstrated that it was not problematic.
Portrayal of Muslims
Shabana Azmi’s Criticism
Azmi described the film as provocative because it positioned Muslims as “the Other.”
Sunny Deol’s Defense
Deol called the remarks inflammatory and argued that critics were making noise to gain attention.
- Earlier film
- Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
- Year of criticism
- 2001
- Shabana Azmi’s assessment
- She called Gadar “provocative” and said it positioned Muslims as “the Other.”
- Sunny Deol’s response
- He said Azmi’s comments disappointed him and defended the film.
- Deol’s evidence
- He cited Gadar’s success and public acceptance.
- New collaboration
- Batwara 1947
- Release date
- August 14