Despite Batwara 1947 receiving a lukewarm response at the box office, filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi is already looking ahead to his next collaboration with Sunny Deol. The director-actor duo, known for films such as Ghayal (1990), Damini (1993) and Ghatak (1996), are set to reunite for another action film.
Rajkumar Santoshi and Sunny Deol reunion on the cards
In an interview with Variety India, Santoshi revealed that he and Sunny Deol are planning their next project together, choosing to focus on their future collaboration rather than dwell on Batwara 1947’s box office performance.“We are planning our next action film. It will be on the lines of Ghatak. Let’s hope it works out soon,” he said, hinting at a return to the high-octane action drama style that defined their earlier collaborations.
Rajkumar Santoshi on ‘Batwara 1947’ response
Speaking about the underwhelming response to Batwara 1947, Santoshi admitted that both producer Aamir Khan and Sunny Deol were disappointed that the film failed to draw audiences to theatres.“They were disappointed that people didn’t come to the theatres. If audiences had watched the film and didn’t like it, that’s one thing. But we didn’t expect such a lukewarm response from cinegoers. Why did it happen? I don’t know. All his (Sunny Deol’s) recent films like ‘Gadar 2,’ ‘Border 2’ and ‘Jaat’ did great business at the box office,” Santoshi said.
Did Sunny Deol’s image work against him?
Santoshi also addressed speculation that Deol’s established action-hero image may have worked against him in Batwara 1947, particularly because the actor took on a different kind of role.“If it has gone against him, then I feel very sad. If audiences truly love an actor, they should encourage him to conquer new peaks. Sunny is an actor; he should be able to play any character. What matters is whether he has done justice to the role,” he added.
More about ‘Batwara 1947’
Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, Batwara 1947 stars Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal, Karan Deol, Abhimanyu Singh and Khushi Hajare.The period drama was released in theatres on August 14, 2026. Despite its high-profile cast and the reunion of Santoshi and Deol, the film received a lukewarm response at the box office.
