‘Batwara 1947’ FIRST REVIEWS out: Sunny Deol’s performance holds strong impact, Preity Zinta is a joy to watch onscreen in this story of ‘resilience and human spirit’

Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta’s ‘Batwara 1947’ is set to arrive in cinemas on August 15, coinciding with Independence Day 2026. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and backed by Aamir Khan, the Partition-era drama features Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal, Karan Deol and others in key roles.Ahead of its theatrical release, filmmaker Ramesh Taurani watched the film with the team and shared his first impressions online. He praised ‘Batwara 1947’ as a sensitive and emotionally stirring story that celebrates humanity and urged audiences to experience it on the first day itself.Taurani wrote, “It is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of compassion, especially during the darkest chapters of our history. @iamsunnydeol I delivers a terrific and deeply impactful performance. And what a joy it is to see @realpz doing what she does best on the big screen. @azmishabana18, @alifazal9 and @imkarandeol I are all exceptional in their respective roles, bringing such depth, intensity and authenticity to the film. @abhimanyusingh.44 is terrific as the villain, creating a character that is both compelling and deeply unsettling.”The filmmaker also applauded Santoshi for bringing emotional depth and humanity to the narrative. He congratulated producers Aparna Purohit and Aamir Khan for backing what he described as an “incredible film.”“A beautifully made film with a powerful message – #Batwara1947 is a must- watch,” Taurani concluded.The film’s advance bookings have also opened ahead of its theatrical debut. Sunny Deol announced the same on X, writing, “Kal se #Batwara1947 aap sab ki hai. Advance bookings are now open on all platforms. See you at the cinemas tomorrow.”Set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition, ‘Batwara 1947’ follows Sikander Mirza, played by Sunny Deol, a Muslim man who moves to Pakistan with his family after Partition. They are given a large haveli that once belonged to a Hindu family, but Sikander soon discovers that an elderly Hindu woman, Mai, portrayed by Shabana Azmi, continues to live there and refuses to leave.Instead of forcing her out, Sikander decides to protect and provide shelter to Mai as communal tensions intensify and violence spreads around them. The story explores his decision to choose courage and compassion over hatred while holding on to his faith in humanity during one of the darkest periods in the subcontinent’s history.