Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Preity Zinta Shares First Look Test Photo From Batwara 1947
Preity Zinta is a famous actress in India, and she is returning to the movies after eight years.
Her new movie is called 'Batwara 1947'.
Just before the movie came out, she shared a photo on social media from her very first costume test.
In the photo she wears a simple saree, covers her head with its cloth, and wears gold bangles.
Her character in the movie is a woman named Hamida.
Preity said that the photo was where she first saw and felt who Hamida is.
She described Hamida using famous words from the poet Rumi: 'If everything around seems dark, look again, you may be the light.'
The movie is set in Lahore during the time when India was divided in 1947.
It is directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Aamir Khan, and it stars Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal and Abhimanyu Singh.
The movie reached theaters on August 14, 2026.
Preity Zinta shared a monochrome photo from her look test as Hamida in 'Batwara 1947' on the eve of the film's release.
In the picture she wears a simple bordered saree, with the pallu covering her head, wavy hair and gold bangles.
Zinta said the look test was where she 'saw and felt the first glimpse' of Hamida, describing the character with a Rumi quote: 'If everything around seems dark, look again, you may be the light.'
'Batwara 1947' marks Zinta's return to the big screen after eight years, following 'Bhaiaji Superhit' (2018), which also starred Sunny Deol.
Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Aamir Khan, the Partition drama set in Lahore releases in cinemas on 14 August 2026.
- Who
- Preity Zinta, who plays Hamida opposite Sunny Deol in 'Batwara 1947', alongside Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal, Karan Deol, Kanikka Kapur, Khushi Hajare and Abhimanyu Singh.
- What
- Shared a look test photo of her character Hamida on social media ahead of the film's release and recalled where her journey with the character began.
- When
- On the eve of the film's release on 14 August 2026.
- Where
- The photo was shared on social media (story filed from Mumbai); the film is set in Lahore during the 1947 Partition of India and the division of Punjab.
- Why
- To revisit where her journey with Hamida began and to mark her return to the big screen after eight years.
- Film
- Batwara 1947
- Release Date
- 14 August 2026
- Director
- Rajkumar Santoshi
- Producer
- Aamir Khan (Aamir Khan Productions)
- Lead Actor
- Sunny Deol (as Sikandar Mirza)
- Cast
- Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal, Karan Deol, Kanikka Kapur, Khushi Hajare, Abhimanyu Singh
- Setting
- Lahore, during the 1947 Partition of India and division of Punjab
- Inspired By
- Asghar Wajahat's play 'Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya, O Jamya E Nai'
