Showing posts with label Gadar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gadar. Show all posts
All three films are about ordinary people standing up against injustice-Sunny Deol
9:19 AM
Sunny Deol and Rajkumar Santoshi weigh in on the theatrical re-release of their 90’s hits
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; July 23, 2026)
Sunny Deol and Rajkumar Santoshi have given Hindi cinema some of the most popular films of the ‘90s. As the actor-director duo reunites for Batwara 1947, a retrospective celebrating their collaboration will see three of their classics – Ghayal (1990), Damini (1993) and Ghatak (1996) – re-released in theatres from July 24. In an exclusive conversation with us, the duo reflects on their enduring partnership, iconic characters and why stories of ordinary people fighting injustice continue to resonate.
THE ANGER WORKED BECAUSE THERE WAS EMOTION BEHIND IT: SUNNY
Speaking about the re-releases and reuniting with Santoshi, Sunny says, “Our journey began with Ghayal, followed by Damini, Ghatak and now Batwara. We understand each other without having to explain too much, and that’s why our partnership works. There’s an unspoken understanding between us. All three films are about ordinary people standing up against injustice. Times and circumstances may have changed, but that fight never grows old.”
The actor is delighted that younger audiences will now get to experience these films on the big screen. “I don’t usually sit and watch my own films because I immediately start noticing what I could have done better. But seeing audiences, especially younger people, discover these films today is emotional. It tells you that an honest film never grows old.”
Talking about the characters he has played, Sunny says, “People remember the action, but I believe my real strength has always been emotion. The anger worked because there was pain, love or injustice behind it.”
I’VE ALWAYS SEEN THE VULNERABLE MAN BEHIND SUNNY’S STRENGTH: SANTOSHI
Recalling his first meeting with Sunny, Santoshi says it wasn’t the actor’s physique or screen image that impressed him the most.
“It was his honesty. There was an innocence, emotional sincerity and a quiet confidence about him. People see the anger, the action and the larger-than-life moments, but I’ve always seen the vulnerable man behind that strength. That fascinated me. Whether it was Ajay Mehra in Ghayal, Govind Srivastav in Damini or Kashi Nath in Ghatak, they were never superheroes. They were ordinary men pushed to extraordinary limits.”
For Santoshi, reuniting with Sunny after three decades felt surprisingly effortless. “It never felt like 30 years had passed. Both of us have lived through success, disappointments and personal growth.
He adds, “Sunny never tries to impress people. He listens more than he speaks and never wears a mask, which allows a director to shape the character instead of fighting the actor’s personality. He also represents a kind of masculinity that is becoming increasingly rare.”
Are Damini, Ghatak and Ghayal still relevant today?
Santoshi believes audiences may have changed, but human emotions haven’t. “Today’s audiences have access to stories from every corner of the world, but human emotions remain the same. People still experience injustice and betrayal. Earlier, cinema externalized anger through powerful confrontations. Today, it is more internal and psychological, but anger itself hasn’t disappeared. If Ghayal or Damini were made today, I would make them differently because cinema has evolved. But their emotional core would remain exactly the same,” he says.
Aamir and my films clashed at the box office, but I never saw him as a rival: Sunny
Aamir Khan and Sunny Deol have come together for Batwara 1947 — directed by Santoshi, starring Sunny and produced by Aamir. The collaboration is particularly interesting given their legendary box-office clashes over the years — Dil versus Ghayal, Raja Hindustani versus Ghatak, and Lagaan versus Gadar. How different is their relationship today?
Sunny smiles, “I never saw Aamir as a rival. Our films competed at the box office; we never did. Today, it feels wonderful that the same history has brought us together. He heard the story, believed in it immediately and backed it with complete conviction. We may be very different people, but our love for cinema is the same.”
25 Years of Gadar - Ek Prem Katha: Never had exhibitors seen such a response to scenes with the public going wild
10:52 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
GADAR - EK PREM KATHA is celebrating 25 years today as it released on 15th June 2001 to a bumper response. The collections on day one were not a record but that was basically because it was not the biggest release in terms of prints. In those days, prints were important for the final number as generally most commercial films with a star cast were going to 90% plus occupancy on day one. GADAR - EK PREM KATHA opened to cent per cent capacity all over barring some stations of South India.
The collections of the film were never seen before type especially for those initial 10-12 weeks. The craze was unprecedented with the music and dialogues, certain scenes going to such a level that they became etched in public memory like never before. Never had exhibitors seen such a response to scenes with the public going wild and this was practically all over the country.
The film did an insane job at the box office when released and was one of the great films of India cinema but to get among the real cream there has to be a longevity. GADAR - EK PREM KATHA had this longevity as some scenes were such that the audience would never forget but due to the change in business, it never had that theatrical run of SHOLAY or MOTHER INDIA, which, even after twenty of years release, were a theatrical force. These films proved their relevance well after release. So, while GADAR - EK PREM KATHA had the same relevance their was no way to prove it. Yes satellite was a rage but then SOORYAVANSHAM was a bigger rage. Hence, when you want to be among the greats, you need something more than satellite.
Eventually GADAR 2 happened in 2023 and that initial and the response to the film rubber stamped the greatness and relevance of GADAR - EK PREM KATHA and how it had passed the test the time like very few before it. The reaction to GADAR 2 meant that that GADAR - EK PREM KATHA was probably the second greatest film ever seen in India after SHOLAY.
There are only 4-5 films in this bracket and time will tell if BAAHUBALI or DHURANDHAR can get there though it will be tougher for the former due to the faces in it and the music in the film as CHANDRALEKHA was a similar film in 1949. But ten years later, no one really knew about it. With DHURANDHAR time will tell though it does not have that mass appreciation at the level of a SHOLAY, GADAR or MOTHER INDIA.
GADAR clashed with another big film LAGAAN but in those days the clashes did not matter as both films had their chain of theatres in each circuit. LAGAAN had better industry reports and the general sense was that it will do better but this was related to media and industry. GADAR had been sold for higher prices and was a wider release. So, ground realities were different to what the industry and media thought even before release. The only thing was business was not about the weekend or week at that time. As a result, with the better industry reports they would have thought that the final business of LAGAAN would be better.
25 Years of Gadar: Tara Singh has become member of people’s families-Sunny Deol
10:31 AM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 16, 2026)
Twenty-five years after Gadar: Ek Prem Katha hit the theatres, actor Sunny Deol looks back at the film’s lasting impact and the love audiences continue to shower on his character Tara Singh. Released in 2001, the film became a blockbuster long before social media, influencer campaigns and instant audience reactions shaped a movie’s success.
Speaking about why he took up the role, Sunny says, “I chose Gadar because I loved the story. Whenever a story truly connects with me, I don’t take much time to say yes. This was one of those films.”
The 68-year-old believes the film’s enduring popularity comes from its emotional honesty. “At its core, Gadar is a story of purity. It is a simple, honest love story that touches every human being, regardless of who they are or where they come from. I knew audiences would like it, but I never imagined it would become so deeply loved that Tara Singh would go on to feel like a member of people’s families. For me, the film remains one of the greatest love stories ever told,” he says.
According to Sunny, Tara Singh’s devotion to his family remains universally relatable. He says, “That instinct, that love, that devotion to family is something everyone understands. It is universal.”
Sunny also credits the film’s music for its longevity. “The songs became part of people’s memories. Those who heard them 25 years ago still connect with them today.”
Among his favourite moments is the scene where Sakina (played by Ameesha Patel) ties Tara Singh’s turban: “There is something incredibly pure and beautiful about that moment.”
For Sunny, the film’s greatest legacy is the audience’s affection. “Love. Belief. Acknowledgement. And when people give you that kind of love and faith, it gives you tremendous strength,” he concludes.
More than two decades later, Gadar 2 (2023) recreated much of the original film’s frenzy, emerging as a blockbuster at the box office and earning over Rs. 680 crore globally.
We will start Gadar 3 next year-Anil Sharma
9:28 AM
Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 15, 2026)
Filmmaker Anil Sharma says he knew Gadar: Ek Prem Katha would become a landmark the moment he first heard the script, and 25 years later, he feels it is “still alive in people’s hearts”.
“The day Shaktimaan Talwar narrated the story, I knew it had the potential to become India’s biggest hit film… I tried to make it at the level of Mother India (1957), Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and Sholay (1975),” he says, adding that the film recorded nearly 10 crore footfalls, a feat unmatched even today. “Even Gadar 2 had half of this footfall,” he adds.
Recalling its 2001 release alongside Aamir Khan’s Lagaan, he says, “There was no competition like today… people would watch one film and then another back-to-back. Woh marketing nahi, woh dil ka daur tha.”
On Gadar 3, he teases, “Gadar ki story ek bomb thi, sab kahte rahe par Gadar 2 tab bani jab ek atom bomb story mili. Now, Gadar 3 will only happen if we have a nuclear bomb story. We are working on the script and God-willing if all goes on track we will start it next year!”
25 Years of Lagaan, Gadar: Two films, one release date... and the rest is history
9:27 AM
25 years ago today, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Lagaan hit theatres and went on to become two of Indian cinema’s biggest success stories. We speak to members of the film fraternity as they look back on the excitement surrounding this box-office clash and reflect on what makes both films enduring classics even today
HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 15, 2026)
The expectations before release day
Filmmaker and trade expert, Girish Johar recalls that Gadar was already carrying tremendous buzz before its release. Its music had become popular and audience anticipation was high. In comparison, Lagaan appeared to be lagging initially.
“People couldn’t quite understand what Lagaan was about from its early promotional material. The creative images showed 11 men in rural costumes. And at the time, (Gadar director) Anil Sharma was a far more commercially successful director than (Lagaan director) Ashutosh Gowariker, so the odds were largely in Gadar’s favour,” he says.
Johar adds that Lagaan’s lengthy runtime also posed challenges. “Being a three-hour film, only a limited number of shows could be accommodated. There was also confusion over whether the film would have one interval or two. But the clash itself was incredibly exciting. Exhibitors were eager to screen both films, but show-sharing wasn’t common in single-screen theatres then. It was a tough call which film to screen, but all these are now fond memories.”
Why both films struck a chord
Nitin Datar, former president of the Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India, recalls that many single-screen theatres preferred allocating more shows to Gadar during its initial run.
Explaining the reason, he says, “Gadar was an action film in which the protagonist takes on Pakistan’s police and political leaders. It evoked national sentiments among the audiences. I still remember people shouting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ inside theatres.”
He points out that Lagaan also carried a patriotic undercurrent, though in a very different way. “Lagaan was also rooted in national pride, but the conflict was against the British and was expressed through a cricket match rather than direct action. But ultimately both the films did well.”
DID YOU KNOW?
- Lagaan became the first Hindi film to be shot using sync sound which means that dialogues and sounds were recorded live during the shoot itself.
- Lagaan travelled to various international film festivals across the world but more importantly, it was nominated in the Best Foreign Language film at the Oscars 2001. The film’s selection was a moment of pride for Hindi cinema as it was for the first time that a commercial film had been nominated at the Oscars.
- Lagaan was the maiden production of Aamir Khan’s production house.
The legacy continues through re-releases
To mark its 25th anniversary, Lagaan returned to theatres for a limited three-day re-release on June 12, 13 and 14.
“Twenty-five years on, Lagaan remains one of Indian cinema’s defining achievements. Its return to theatres is both a celebration of the film and an opportunity for audiences to experience the scale, ambition and storytelling that make cinema timeless,” says Niharika Bijli, Lead Strategist, PVR INOX Limited.
Meanwhile, Gadar enjoyed a successful re-release in 2023, becoming one of the highest-grossing Bollywood re-releases in India. According to trade experts, the film earned an impressive Rs. 7.78 crore during its repeat theatrical run.
SUNNY DEOL’S POP CULTURE MOMENT
Sunny Deol’s ‘handpump scene’ in Gadar: where his character Tara Singh uproots a hand pump and uses it as a weapon became iconic. What was intended as an over-the-top display of emotion and strength became one of the most recognizable images in Indian pop culture.
- Natasha Coutinho
Dhurandhar The Revenge fails to top Pushpa 2 - The Rule in 5 circuits; achieves record 4 cr footfalls
10:07 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has crossed the 1000 crore nett mark and is easily the biggest Hindi grosser ever but in certain markets it sill remains less than PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE despite the all India figure being far higher. DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has failed to get the highest total in Rajasthan, CP Berar, CI, Bihar and Odisha all ending below PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE. Its a similar story in the state of Gujarat but that comes into Mumbai circuit and overall the collections of DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE are higher in the circuit by more than 10%.
A circuit where DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE did not look like being the biggest was West Bengal but with a prolonged run it has edged past the numbers of JAWAN which was the highest grossing film in this circuit. It was Assam and West Bengal which stopped PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE getting the highest totals in all circuits. For DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE, its the mass circuits which has stopped the film showing complete domination all over. In many of these mass circuits, the figures are higher than PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE in the bigger centers and major multiplexes but its the smaller centers and smaller cinemas be it independent plexes or single screens where it is less.
The last film to have the highest figure in all circuits was BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION and before that it was HUM AAPKE HAIN KOUN and SHOLAY. Even GADAR - EK PREM KATHA did not manage as it could not beat HUM AAPKE HAIN KOUN in Maharashtra and parts of the Eastern circuit. It means only 3 films in the last 50 years have seen numbers which have been the highest across all circuits.
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has beaten the previous all India total by almost 30% but still some circuits remain less which shows how tough it is and how tastes differ in different circuits. In a circuit like CP Berar, the gap is pretty huge as PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE did 57 crore nett and DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE will do 45 crore nett. In Rajasthan, the gap is lesser with PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE on 47.50 crore and DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE on 46 crore nett.
--------------------------------
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE is coming to an end of its run and will be finish with 4 crore footfalls apprx. The collections will end with 1005 crore nett and the ATP (Average Ticket Price) will be over INR 300 which has never been seen before. A few years ago BLOCKBUSTERS like PATHAAN, JAWAN and ANIMAL saw an ATP of around 220 and in just three years here is a film with a 35% higher Average Ticket Price.
PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE, released in 2024, had an ATP of 230 and although the multiplexes had comfortably far higher pricing than the likes of ANIMAL and JAWAN, it also had a lot appeal in mass centers which bought the overall ATP down as it should be 10-15% higher than the 2023 films but was only 5% higher. There is a difference of only 10 lakh footfalls between PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE and DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE. However, the box office collection is around 280 crore nett more. PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE had 3.90 crore footfalls.
This is the highest footfall for an original Hindi film since GADAR in 2001 which is a pretty long time to wait for a 4 crore footfall film. The way it was going in the initial few days it looked like even 4.5-5 crore was possible but the mass appeal was not quite there at that insane level. This is not to say the film did not have mass appeal but not to the level of 5 crore footfalls.
This 4 crore footfall mark did look like it would was an impossible task the way business was going post pandemic and more than that the way pricing was going but never say never. It can easily be said that 5 crore is a dream at present and you never know what happens with the right content. The pricing going up and up means footfalls do become tougher though it makes it easier for initial records when the urgency is there.
There may have been no 4 crore footfall film from the Hindi film industry between 2001 and 2026 but there were plenty before 2001 and it maybe around 25-30 films which got over 4 crore. But then, times were different and although there was a lesser population, the craze for films and stars was far higher.
Hum filmein banate hain peace ke liye, lekin Pakistan peace maanta kahan hai-Anil Sharma
8:07 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; April 28, 2025)
"Sab ne apne-apne tareeqe se bataya hai India aur Pakistan ka conflict. Yashji had his take, Border showed it in a different way. When we made Gadar, we wanted to say, ‘mohabbat hi sab kuch hoti hai,’” shares director Anil Sharma. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, the veteran filmmaker, who is also one of the original voices of the Indo-Pak conflict on screen, shares his take on how the subject has been portrayed in cinema over the years.
‘Made Gadar with the perspective of humanity’
Through his films, Anil Sharma tried to talk about the power of humanity in the face of conflict. He says, “More than 10 lakh people lost their lives during the partition – one of the greatest tragedies the world has ever witnessed. We asked ourselves, ‘When the people on both sides of the border were so alike, what was the need to create two nations?’ Most of the Muslims living in India at that time could trace their ancestry, in some way or another, back to Hindus. There was a deep sense of brotherhood. It is also true that it was said at the time that Hindus living in Pakistan will continue to live there and Muslims living in Hindustan will continue to live there. Then why did it happen that those summons came, like we showed in Gadar, that Hindus living in Pakistan must leave their homes? Why did that violence happen? It was all because of the game of power and religion – the game that kills humanity. That’s what we tried to show in Gadar. We made the film with this perspective – tread the path of humanity.”
‘Uri showed that aakrosh hai janta mein’
In Uri, the sentiments are very different from that of a Veer-Zaara. “If (Pakistan) comes to our home and kills us, like they killed a few days back in Pahalgam, toh hum kya karenge? Hum bhi ja ke ghuss ke maarenge. Aakrosh hai janta mein – Uri showed that. I showed the same long back in my film Tahalka (1992),” says the director.
‘If we have to improve our relations, we have to think of humanity’
Talking about the attack on tourists, the director adds, “What happened in Pahalgam – why did it happen? Naam puchh-puchh ke maara – matlab kya hai iska? Aur kyun maara pehle toh? Aap ye phailana chahte hain ki Hindu-Muslim mein jhagde ho? Aur ye unki political thinking hai, unke political achievements hain, woh poore ho? Hindustan aur Pakistan ke rishton ke baare mein baat ye hai ki ek baar dono deshon ki awaam soche – politicians toh politics karte rahenge, woh badlenge nahi. Ek baar sab log soche ki hum chalein insaaniyat ke raaste par. As long as we are alive, we must spread love and peace, and that is what can improve Indo-Pak relations.”
He adds, “Consider this : we are spending billions on weapons made by foreign countries and growing poorer by the day. How does that help us? If we have to improve our relations, then we have to think of humanity. I have always made films with that purpose.”
‘Yash ji’s Veer-Zaara was a reminder Aap mohabbat ke raaste chalein’
Our films have often captured the ebb and flow of the relations between the two countries. Sharma says, “How Yash ji depicted Indo-Pak conflict in Veer-Zaara was beautiful. Having survived the partition, he brought a mature perspective that was beautifully reflected in Veer-Zaara. It was a coherent, heartfelt reminder – ‘Aap mohabbat ke raaste chalein.’”
‘We never attack first. But there is a limit to our tolerance’
For those who have lost their loved ones to conflict, there can be no “anti” or “pro” Pakistan film. Hum film banate hain peace ke liye, lekin ye (Pakistan) peace maante kahan hain?,” says Sharma, adding, “Our films are out there for the world to see what really happens. India has always been a peaceful country. We never attack first. But there is a limit to our tolerance. Whenever they attack – we give them a fitting reply. They started the Kargil war, they started the 1965 war, Pulwama, the Parliament attack – and now Pahalgam too. Whenever India reacts to their violence, provocation, or war, we make films that show how peace is possible – but only when the truth is faced.”
The director adds that our films are 100 per cent realistic. “We haven’t portrayed all of Pakistan in a negative light. Several Pakistani characters in Gadar 1 and Gadar 2 were genuine and came from a place of understanding. Hum awaam ko positive dikhane ki koshish karte hain. Awaam ko kabhi negative nahi dikhate. Hum dikhate hain politicans ko negative, jo satya hai. I believe common people in every country are inherently good. Awaam bechari ko kya chahiye? Awaam ko toh keval roti chahiye khaane ko,” he says.
Many people objected to the handpump scene, calling it illogical-Anil Sharma
10:46 PM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; November 7, 2024)
After the string of hits - Pathaan, Gadar 2, and Jawan last year, the current state of cinema is different. This year has brought a noticeable dip, with only a handful of films managing to perform well. Why are audiences finding it harder to connect with films these days? And where have all the mass entertainers disappeared to?
Anil Sharma, often tagged as a director who makes mass entertainers, spoke to us about what goes into making a mass entertainer and says there is nothing wrong with a film being categorised as such. He explains, "We are not here to teach science or law - that's what colleges are for. I think a filmmaker's job is to entertain. Action, music, dance, romance - yehi mera motto hai. To make a film larger than life, to present a story that isn’t even real and still make it believable for the audience, is not easy."
"Hand pump ukhaada nahi ja sakta, lekin logon ko itna believe karwa dena ki yeh sach hai - yeh aasaan kaam nahi hai, yeh difficult kaam hai. Yeh kaam Manmohan Desai ji karte thay, K Asif ne Mughal-e-Azam mein kiya, Mehboob saheb ne Mother India mein kiya, aur Sippy saheb ne Sholay mein kiya. Yeh bahut mushkil hota hai."
He adds, "We (He and his team) see ourselves as stress-busters. Whether we get validation from certain people or not isn’t important - what matters is the love we get from the audience. My next film, Vanvas, will connect with 600 crore people because every family has those members."
In a recent conversation, he spoke about into what goes into making a mass entertainer.
'Maine kabhi yeh nahi socha ki main scene taaliyon ke liye likh raha hoon'
Whether it’s Gadar, Gadar 2, or The Hero: Love Story of A Spy, Anil Sharma's films have dialogues that stick with audiences years after the credits roll. But according to Sharma, the secret lies in never writing with the audience in mind. “I don't write scenes hoping for applause,” he says.
He says, "The story should carry that emotion. Jab mujhe laga ki kahani mein woh emotion hai jo 600 crore logon tak jaa sakta hai, tab main us kahani mein gaya. Agar aapki kahani mein woh emotion hai, toh woh audience tak zaroor pahunchta hai. Maine kabhi yeh nahi socha ki main scene taaliyon ke liye likh raha hoon. Scene ki requirement aur kahani ki zarurat ke hisaab se hi har scene likha."
Sharma’s films, especially Gadar, have often faced criticism for being overly jingoistic. What does he think about this? He responds, "When I first heard this, I looked up the meaning of jingoism. Main iss desh ka rehne wala hoon, aur apni bhavna ko waisa hi dikhata hoon jaise main sochta hoon. Jo log subtle sochte hain, main unki terah nahi dikhata. Main waise hi film banata hoon jaise ek aam aadmi sochta hai. Na main khud vishesh aadmi hoon, na vishesh logon ke liye film banata hoon. Jo meri film ko jingoistic sochte hain, kripya na dekhein, kyunki yeh film unke liye nahi hai."
'It seems like some directors and actors are making films only for a specific target audience and not entire country'
"When I started making films, even VCRs didn’t exist. When I decided to make Hukumat (1987) with the idea that I was making it for the masses, it became a turning point in my life. Hukumat gave me a tag, and then with Gadar, I got another one,” Anil Sharma shares.
“Now, when I look around, technology has advanced, but somewhere we’ve fallen behind in terms of content. Kahin na kahin kuch gadbad hai - there are so many talented people here, but they aren’t able to work effectively within the system.. Koi unbalance toh hai jiski wajah se filmein utni safal nahi ho pa rahi hain aaj. Last year, we saw some good performances at the box office, but this year things look different."
He continues, "Films are performing only in segments. It seems like some directors and actors are making films only for a specific target audience instead of making film for the entire country. And even when they try to make those films, perhaps the corporate side isn't supporting them. I don’t know exactly why, but the kind of momentum we once had - 10-12 blockbusters a year - isn’t there at present."
Director ko apne actor ke saath fraud nahi karna chahiye
Anil Sharma shares a long-standing relationship with Sunny Deol. What he believes makes the actor-director dynamic work, he says, “Honesty. A director should never deceive their actors by promising one role and delivering something different on set. If I change anything in the role, I always inform them. Director ko apne actor ke saath fraud nahi karna chahiye."
He adds, "Actors are inherently insecure, so, it's better to tell them which actor is doing what scene especially when it is a multi-starrer film. I make sure to tell them - yehi scene hai aur yehi karna hai - and I always have a reason for it. Truth in storytelling and honesty with actors is important."
How was the handpump scene in Gadar written
Recalling how he wrote the iconic handpump scene in Gadar, Anil Sharma says, “Mujhe agar bologe Hindustan murdabad, toh mujhe itna gussa aa raha tha ki mujhe laga building hi utha kar phenk doon. Woh emotion blast hota hai. Building toh nahi phenk sakta tha, fountains nahi phenk sakta tha, aur uss zamane mein hand pumps hote the, toh maine hand pump phenk diya.”
He continues, “We had a two-hour discussion on set about that scene, and shooting was halted because of it. Many people objected to the handpump scene, calling it illogical."
But Sharma managed to convince them. He explains, "Sometimes, an emotion is so overwhelming it consumes a person entirely. Don’t we all feel, at times, that our anger could make us destroy everything physically?”
He adds, “Jab story mein emotion itna hota hai, toh apne aap bomb ki tarah explode karta hai aur audience tak pahunchta hai. Hum emotion la nahi sakte. Emotion ko film mein import nahi kar sakte. Agar emotion andar hai, tabhi woh export hoga.”
'I want to entertain myself and audience with my films and I can never be entertained without music'
Moviegoers don’t just want good stories, they also want songs they can dance to. Sharma explains, “Music of the film is like blood to the body,” underlining that a film cannot stay memorable without music.
“Whether it was Manoj Kumar, Raj Kapoor, K Asif, or Vijay Anand - the kind of films they made had music as the lifeblood of their stories, and I’ve learned from those films. I can’t imagine a film without music, and I can’t make a film without it. I don’t enjoy films that lack music. I want to entertain people through my films, but I also want to entertain myself - and I don’t think I can ever be entertained without music.”
Elements of a mass entertainer
What are the elements of a mass entertainer? Sharma says, "Ultimately, log entertainment ke liye aa rahe hain. Aapse seekhne-samajhne nahi aa rahe hain."
- A story with emotion that resonates with crores of people
- Honesty in storytelling
- Serving truth like medicine coated with sugar
- Entertainment ka tadka, lekin tadka na lage
I haven’t changed; people have reinvented me-Sunny Deol
8:23 AM
In a freewheeling chat with Rishabh Suri, the man of the moment, actor Sunny Deol talks about life after delivering one of the biggest hits of Indian cinema in 2023, Gadar 2
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 31, 2023)
When we meet Sunny Deol on the terrace of his office, he greets us with a smile. The gleam on his face is that of contentment. Reason? He’s revelling in the success of Gadar 2, the sequel to his 2001 cult hit Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. The film earned Rs. 685.19 crore at the box office worldwide. Ask how delivering one of the biggest Bollywood hits of the year feels like, and he replies, “It’s been a long time...Success ka nasha thoda sa utar chuka hai.” Excerpts from the tête-à-tête:
2023 has been great for you...
It’s been a hectic couple of years, but as time passes, you don’t remember the bad things. My son Karan (Deol; actor) got married in June. I was home for a week, and it was beautiful. We re-released Gadar: Ek Prem Katha during that period. Seeing the response, I started feeling positive. And after visiting our armed forces bases, the buzz reached such a point that I was crying and laughing at the same time a day before the release of Gadar 2.
When was the last time you felt like this?
This (Gadar 2’s success) was the first time. Then there was Bobby’s Animal — the shot where he shushes — and whenever I see it, it brings tears to my eyes. To me, he’s like a child. We, Deols, have that issue (laughs)... Koi bhi tareef karta tha, emotions phoot padte the.
A new generation saw you for the first time on screen. Did you hear anything from your younger fans?
If I talk about my Insta following, most of my fans are aged between 12 and 24. Main khud dekh kar hairaan tha ki mujhe kyun follow kar rahe hain! Gadar 2’s success has given me a chance to do the type of cinema I wanted to do.
Until this year, there was a long period when your films didn’t work. Did it impact your confidence?
When I started out [as an actor], I’d keep signing films, so kaam chalta rehta tha. Every actor had five to six films at a time, so we weren’t relying on one film. Things changed from 2000 on. There was rapidity in technology and in people’s thinking. Everything has become global now. People make you insecure because everything comes down to numbers. Buri film hai toh bhi chal jaati hai aur achchi hai toh bhi nahin chalti.
2023 has been the year of the Deols. Besides your Gadar 2, your father, Dharmendra, was seen in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and your brother, Bobby Deol, in Animal...
My whole family has risen together. Thanks to Waheguru, things have become really good for us. Love and affection from people was always there, but it has surely increased this year.
Is Sunny Deol reinventing himself after a blockbuster?
I am the same. I think people have reinvented me! When I was doing Gadar 2, people said, ‘Yeh kya kar raha hai? Purana director, purani film, ghatiya hai’. I used to try and sign with the newer [artiste management] companies that tell you who to work with. But, whenever I interacted with them, nothing made sense. So, I decided to stick to my guns.
Almost everyone from the film industry, including old and new artistes, attended the success party of Gadar 2. How did that feel?
I remember whispering into Salman’s (Khan; actor) ear, ‘Tu mereko bulaata tha apni parties mein aur main nahin aata tha... S**le tu mere yahaan aa hi gaya’. There was a lot of warmth.
There’s excitement around your upcoming projects, with Lahore 1947 being your next. Do you feel you have earned your due in the industry?
It is debatable. I believe in having something if I deserve it, rather than running around people or begging for it. That’s why I became a producer.
Do you agree that Gadar 2 rubbishes the notions that masala films don’t work now?
Commercial cinema has always been there and will always be around. Aaj kal opening weekend ke chakkar mein sab chale jaate hain film dekhne. Even if they don’t like it, they don’t say anything. When Gadar 2 released, we didn’t have many screens (the film clashed with OMG 2). If we had more screens, things would have been bigger. We didn’t get screens overseas either. Despite that, the film opened more avenues. Single screens that were shut opened up. Their business was 100 times more than they’d ever done.
The photo of you hugging Shah Rukh Khan (actor) at your film’s success party went viral. Are you in the headspace to let bygones be bygones (their feud goes back to 1993, when they worked together in Darr)?
Everybody has moved on in life and is mentally happy and secure with what they have. When they were younger, they weren’t like that. Now, everybody is happy and satisfied. Time is a healer. I was happy that everyone turned up at my party.
Between Gadar and Gadar 2, I had a struggle period of 20 years-Sunny Deol
5:41 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; November 23, 2023)
Throughout his masterclass at IFFI – titled ‘No If, No But, Only Jatt’ – Sunny Deol kept tearing up while hearing his directors – Rahul Rawail, Raj Kumar Santoshi and Anil Sharma – talk about him. The directors shared, “Sunny is too emotional, even during the filming of films like Gadar, Ghayal, Arjun and several others, he’d become pretty emotional and cry a lot after filming certain scenes.”
'I'd stopped believing'
“In 2000, after Gadar came out, a struggle period started for me because nobody was coming to me with good scripts. Pata nahi kyun nahi mil rahi thi, but between Gadar and Gadar 2 there is a gap of 20 years and while I did a couple of films in between, it was not that impactful. Lekin Gadar 2 ke baad jo khushi mili, jiske wajah se aaj kal main itna emotional ho jata hoon… because I stopped believing in things (in the last 20 years). Lekin maine kabhi haar nahi maani. Main hamesha aage badhta raha hoon.”
Talking about the type of films he wanted to do, Sunny said, “When I joined the industry, I was clear that I don’t want to do formula films. I was fortunate that when I joined the industry I got to do the kind of films that I wanted. Shuru mein main nahi chah raha tha ki main papa, Amit ji aur Mithun ji jaise filmein karoon. Unka cinema alag tha. Baad mein maine uss tarah ki filmein bhi ki hai. I joined films because I wanted to become an actor, main actor banna chahta tha. Mere andar ye nahi tha ki main star banoon. Maine papa ki filmein dekhi hain, main uss variety ki film karna chahta tha.”
At the session, all three directors shared their experience of working with Sunny and pointed out that they saw that vulnerability of Dharmendra in Sunny and decided to approach him for films.
Rajkumar Santoshi, who directed Sunny in films like Ghayal (1990), Damini (1993) and Ghatak (1996), remarked, “Sunny is like Dharmendra - a combination of strength and vulnerability. He never interferes with his director. He will keep giving takes jab tak puri unit satisfy na ho jaye. Sunny ke andar ek khwahish hai to excel. Mera manna hai ki industry ne insaaf nahi kiya Sunny ke saath.”
Rahul Rawail, who worked with Sunny in many films including Arjun (1985) and Arjun Pandit (1999), said, “What I noticed in Sunny is that when it comes to films, he never says no to anything. In Betaab (1983), there is a scene when Sunny’s character slides below a horse carriage and after giving one shot, the duplicate refused to do it as he was too scared. And then Sunny was like, ‘I will do it, Rahul. don’t worry about the shot.’ And he did it quite smoothly.”
Anil Sharma, who directed Gadar (2001) and Gadar 2 (2023), said, “When I approached Sunny for Gadar 2, he was quite reluctant. Anyone else would have happily agreed, but convincing him was very difficult. He wanted to do it right for the audience as he didn’t want to ruin the legacy of the first film. Now, we are making Gadar 3.”
Sunny revealed that he initially didn’t agree to Gadar 2 because, for him, it was a lesson learned from making Ghayal Once Again.
I can’t suck up to someone or indulge in idle gossiping to be a part of a camp-Ameesha Patel
8:38 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; September 16, 2023)
“I was taught to call a spade a spade. With me, what you see is what you get,” says Ameesha Patel. Her honesty isn’t just limited to work. She shares, “I have never hidden a relationship, break-up, or make-up, whether with my family, friends, or romantic involvements. Such has been my upbringing.”
The actress shares it was her grandmother who instilled in her the sense of owning up to her true self. “She would say, The path might be tougher for honest people, but it’s a surer path. It’s a longer route to success because you don’t play dirty games with people to get your way, but you sleep well at night’,” she says.
The ‘Gadar 2’ actress, who has seen her share of highs and lows in her career, says that irrespective of the films she landed or lost out on, she didn’t align with any camp or banner. She says, “I don’t backbite, speak ill, or gossip about colleagues from the industry. I don’t belong to camps, so someone sucking up to them gets what I would be offered. I don’t idle gossiping and backbiting because that’s not why I am here. Some camps thrive on it, but I can’t. I can’t put someone down to bring myself up.”
“In an industry that thrives on relationship-building, people don’t always appreciate my kind of honesty,” she confides, adding, “If I am asked for my opinion about a film after its screening, I will tell you the truth, and that can be dangerous. People see me as muhphatt. They know, isko jo bolna hai, ye bolke hi jaayegi. I don’t know how to sugar-coat things and that can sometimes create misunderstandings.”
Ameesha says, “I would never pull someone down to rise. If, in the bargain, I lose out on some work, then so be it. I prefer to sit in a corner and read a book on the set rather than gossip and spread toxicity. I think it is important to have a social and political outlook in life, otherwise, you will get sucked up in small coups of the industry, which is unhealthy. I think this practice and belief is what has kept me grounded and real.”
Talking about her camaraderie with Sunny Deol, the Tara Singh to her Sakina, she says, “Sunny and I are very similar in some ways. He, too, doesn’t belong to any camp. He is honest, and that honesty shows. I think that’s the beauty of ‘Gadar 2’, that there is an innocence in Tara and Sakina. That vulnerability is what the audience relates to.”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 793
5:31 PM
ALL EYES ARE ON JAWAN; BOX OFFICE CONTINUES TO SHINE AS HOLDOVER RELEASES ARE STILL WORKING BIG TIME
The much-awaited film Jawan is releasing next week and the excitement is incredible. Usually before the release of biggies, the box office is dry and theatres are forced to run holdover films as they have no option. But right now, that's not the case.
Last week's release Dream Girl 2 had mixed word of mouth. But it did quite well at the box office. It opened at Rs. 10 crores and thus emerged as Ayushmann Khurrana's biggest opener. The collections jumped to Rs. 13.75 crores and Rs. 15.50 crores on Saturday and Sunday respectively. On Monday, the film earned Rs. 5 crores but on Tuesday, the earnings jumped to Rs. 5.25 crores as the next day was Raksha Bandhan. The Wednesday collections were around Rs. 7.25 crores. Hence, it'll collect Rs. 60 crores in its first week. It remains to be seen if the film can cross the Rs. 100 crores mark. The chances are unlikely. Nevertheless, the purpose is served. The film, made at reasonable costs, is a hit. For Ayushmann Khurrana, this is a much-deserved success since his last 4 films flopped.
Gadar 2 continues to be as strong as ever. Until Wednesday, August 30, it collected around Rs. 469 crores. There's zero competition for this film this week and hence it'll continue to do well. Trade, industry and fans are eagerly waiting to see if it can cross Pathaan's collections of Rs. 515 crores.
OMG 2 is slowing down but still has gas left in its tank. It has collected around Rs. 138 crores and will cross the Rs. 140 crore mark in the coming weekend.
Even the latest regional films like Subhedar (Marathi), Mastaney (Punjabi) and 3 Ekka (Gujarati) attracted viewers in hordes. In short, the box office continues to be healthy.
This Friday will also have multiple releases but have slim chances. Love All, starring Kay Kay Menon and Goldfish, starring Kalki Koechlin and Deepti Naval, are the Hindi releases of the week and have zero buzz. Kushi, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha, has grabbed eyeballs. The original Telugu version might work but the Hindi version will go unnoticed due to limited release and lack of excitement.
As for Hollywood films, only The Equalizer 3 might find some audience. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem has had a decent performance at the box office in North America. In India, it will have a tough time as the films of this franchise have never worked. Golda, lastly, is a niche film meant for a very minuscule section of moviegoers.
War of words over breaks out over Gadar 2’s music
8:39 AM
While Uttam Singh says he was not informed about the usage of tracks composed by him in Gadar 2, director Anil Sharma and composer Mithoon tell us a different story
Debarati S Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; August 27, 2023)
Recently, Uttam Singh, the music composer of Gadar: Ek Prem Katha said that he was not informed by the makers of Gadar 2 that they would be using his compositions Main Nikla Gaddi Leke and Udd Jaa Kaale Kaava.
Talking to Bombay Times, he spoke about why he felt letdown. We also reached out to filmmaker Anil Sharma and Gadar 2 composer Mithoon for their side of the story. Here’s what they had to say:
They should have told me that we are using your songs: Uttam Singh
Composer Uttam Singh says, “Yeh gaane toh aise hain ki aagar koi dholak leke bhi baja dega toh bhi hit honge, because of their melody and lyrics. They may have given me the credit, but credit dena is not all. They should have told me they were using my songs. Not only songs, puri film mein mera likha original background music use hua hai. Maan mariyada bahut badi cheez hoti hai and Hindustan mein iska bahut value hai. Inhone na maan rakha, na mariyada rakkhi. Creative right bahut badi cheez hoti hai, duniya bhar mein, it is a big thing. This was very bad on the part of Anil Sharma. Hum jab kisi ka kaam use kartein hain, toh hamara farz banta hai ki hum usse puchein toh sahi. Kam se kam puchna toh chahiye. Mujhe koi fark nahi pada, log keh rahain hain ki yehi do gaane chal rahein hain. Mujhe badi khushi hoti agar aap naya kaam kartein. I am not saying anything wrong about anybody, I’m just stating facts and truth. When people would come to me for background music, I would ask them to get a letter from the composer allowing me to work on the BG music for that particular film. This was the culture of our Hindi music industry. Bollywood has ended all this.”
I ensured that Uttam ji was given due credit and I was told that he had liked what had been done: Mithoon
Mithoon, who has composed the music of Gadar 2, says, “The rights are with the label and technically, the original music composer’s permission to recreate the songs is not needed. But I had told the makers to talk to the original creator and I ensured that he was given due credit. Anil Sharma ji told me that he had spoken to the original creator and shown him my work. I was told that Uttam ji had liked what had been done. So, I am wondering why this kind of conversation is happening now. I have a legacy of original music and I enjoy doing that. Anil ji had come to me with the concept of Gadar 2, and he wanted these songs to be recreated because the makers said it was the creative requirement of the film. When I heard the script, I understood that the story could not be told without these two melodies. Then, as an artiste I showed respect to fellow artistes by retaining Udit Narayan’s vocals, the poetry of Anand Bakshi saab, as well as the music by Uttam ji. In fact, the film starts with an acknowledgement note for both creators – Uttam ji and Bakshi saab. Before Gadar 2 was released, we had a success meet for Udd Jaa Kaale Kaava. Uttam ji was invited, but he wasn’t present there.”
Mujhe hairani hai ki Uttam ji ne aisa statement diya hai: Anil Sharma
On his part, director Anil Sharma says, “I showed Uttam ji all the songs. Mujhe hairani hai ki unhone ab aisa statement diya hai. Technically, the rights were with the label. Mera aur Uttam ji ka dil ka rishta hai aur yeh sab sunkar mujhe bahut hairani hai. I still can’t believe it. Now that I know about this, I will definitely speak to him.”
Aamir Khan acknowledged that Gadar was at least three times bigger than Lagaan-Anil Sharma
7:58 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; August 12, 2023)
It’s the season of sequels in Bollywood and Hollywood. Twenty-two years after Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, the original cast – Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma – reunite in Gadar 2. Filmmaker Anil Sharma talks about why he decided to make the film after over two decades and the huge expectations from Gadar 2. Excerpts:
‘Gadar was a huge brand, but I didn’t want to cash in on it’
Anil says, “It’s the season of sequels. Everyone is making one, and Gadar was a huge brand to cash in on commercially, but that was never my objective. I didn’t want to simply resurrect a brand just for commercial purposes, unless I had a genuine story to tell that warranted a sequel. I was intrigued by the future of Tara Singh’s family. ‘Uske parivaar ka aage kya hua?’, this question hounded me. Writer Shaktimaan Talwar, who wrote the previous film, came back to me with a story that deserved to be made. That’s how Gadar 2 happened.”
Despite the immense success of the first film, the director has released himself from the clutches of expectations. “I am not the kind to put myself under this pressure. Both these films are people’s films; they will decide Gadar 2’s fate.”
‘Aamir acknowledged that Gadar was at least three times bigger than Lagaan’
Speaking of comparison, who can forget Gadar’s epic clash with Aamir Khan-starrer Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India when it was released on the same day in 2001. Lagaan went on to win an Oscar nomination, and Gadar set new box-office records.
On his film’s 20th anniversary, Aamir had said, “If Lagaan was even one per cent less of a film, we would not have stood a chance.” Sharma reminisced, “Aamir was kind enough to say and acknowledge that Gadar was at least three times bigger than Lagaan.”
‘Gadar was a story about love transcending borders’
Along with the success, Gadar also met with its share of criticism. The director says, “I don’t remember my film getting great reviews from critics. Logon ne meri picture ko chalaya hai because they could emotionally connect with it. It was a story about a family and love transcending borders. I hope the audience is able to feel for the characters and their story once again. Sunny Deol is one of our finest actors. I have closely worked with him and the Deol family, they are nice people and that reflects in their performances as well. It was also nice to have Ameesha (as Sakeena) and my son Utkarsh back.”
‘We wanted Udit Narayan to reprise Udd jaa Kaale Kaava in Gadar 2’
Gadar’s music continues to be a roaring success. Uttam Singh’s iconic composition Udd jaa Kaale Kaava has been recreated and sung by Udit Narayan. Sharma says, “We have retained two songs from the original and Mithoon has done a brilliant job on the new album and reprising the old melodies. We wanted Udit to reprise the song. Film industry sabko bahut jaldi bhool jaati hai. I know that’s how new talent gets a chance and that’s fine. I am not averse to new people, but I don’t believe in overlooking someone only because he has been around for 40 years. He was the perfect choice.”
I’d say we have shown Sunny Deol's dhai-sau kilo ka haath in Gadar 2-Anil Sharma
8:43 AM
With Sunny’s Gadar 2 expected to open at Rs. 25 crore, director Sharma promises raw action sequences with leading man flaunting his ‘dhai-sau kilo ka haath’
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 11, 2023)
In the 22 years that separates Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001) and its sequel, an entire generation has been raised on Hindi movies that had a different cinematic language from the action drama. But as Gadar 2: The Katha Continues opens in cinemas today, it’s evident that the Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel-led story continues to have fans across the country. Trade analysts have predicted a first-day opening of Rs. 25 crore, the second biggest this year after Pathaan.
Director Anil Sharma isn’t surprised. “From the day I conceived the plot of Gadar 2, I knew it would do well. Gadar is an emotion that 100 crore Indians have loved, but our film industry never understood that. Many criticized Gadar [after its release],” he recalls.
Taking the story of Deol’s Tara Singh and Patel’s Sakina forward, Gadar 2 shows how the protagonist heads to Pakistan to free his captive son, essayed by Utkarsh Sharma. A section of the industry, going by the trailer, feels that the sequel doesn’t have a powerful story.
“When lakhs have appreciated the trailer, the opinions of some don’t make a difference to me. When Gadar released, one review called it ‘Gutter: Ek Prem Katha.’ But the audience is the only thing that matters,” shares the director.
A Deol film cannot be complete without hardcore action. Last time, the leading man had famously uprooted a hand-pump in one of the action sequences. What can we expect this time around? “People are asking me if I have shown his dhai kilo ka haath. I’d say we have shown dhai-sau [250] kilo ka haath in Gadar 2. The action is raw, real and powerful.”
Now that the sequel has opened on a strong note, has he considered making a third instalment? Sharma says, “People are saying that I should make it a franchise like Baahubali. But I made Gadar 2 only when I got the right story. It all depends on whether I get a good story for the third part.”
South films did well in Hindi heartland as no Bollywood star has brought that cinema to them-Utkarsh Sharma
8:39 AM
Utkarsh Sharma, who plays Sunny Deol’s son in Gadar 2, on how the senior actor is more an idol than a co-star to him
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; August 12, 2023)
Utkarsh Sharma was all of five when he played the adorable son Jeete to Sunny Deol’s Tara Singh in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001). As Gadar 2: The Katha Continues hits the screens after 22 years, Sharma reprises his role—only this time, he is flexing his arms alongside Deol. Off the camera, Sharma says he remains a wide-eyed fan of his co-star.
“I was clapping when he was performing action scenes. I was also the first one to whistle at his entry on the set. So, I react to him the way the audience does,” grins the actor. He notes that Deol’s real-life persona is poles apart from his on-screen image.
“He has this raw, hard image, but on the set, he is shy, introverted and kind. So, though you are in awe of his image, you feel connected to him on a personal level.”
Yesterday, the Deol and Ameesha Patel-starrer opened on a strong note at the box office. The buzz around the film has taken many by surprise, but Sharma attributes it to the recent lack of full-blown actioners in Hindi cinema.
“As an audience, we have been starved of hardcore action on screen. The reason why south films have been doing well in the Hindi heartland is that no other star [from Bollywood] has brought that cinema to them.”
Gadar 2 marks his fifth collaboration with director-father Anil Sharma. Admiring his filmmaker-father’s professional approach towards him on set, the actor says, “During the making of Gadar, we didn’t sleep for three nights in a row as we had to shoot. For a five-year-old, it’s too much, and I’d get cranky. So, in between shots, if my eyes would shut, my father used to say, ‘Wake up! We are in the middle of an important shoot.’ Even on the set of Gadar 2, our relationship was of an actor-director. There was no question of favouritism.”
Gadar had set a certain benchmark that we have to match-Utkarsh Sharma
3:17 PM
The actor talks about his upcoming release Gadar 2, which has him sharing screen space with Sunny Deol 22 years after Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; August 10, 2023)
Utkarsh Sharma was just five years old when he shared screen space with Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. Cut to 22 years later, he’s back inGadar 2 as Jeete, once again sharing the screen space with his on-screen parents. The film, directed by his father, filmmaker Anil Sharma, releases tomorrow. Excerpts from a conversation with the actor:
‘It felt like I had travelled back in time when we shot Gadar 2’
“I had that feeling of déjà vu when I stepped into the set,” says Utkarsh. “It felt like I had travelled back in time. It was great to team up with Sunny sir and the whole team again. Gadar has set a certain benchmark that we have to match. So, it took us some time to crack a story that will move people like the first one did,” he adds.
Recounting the response to the film in 2001, he shares, “My mom and I had gone to watch the first day, first show of the film at Shaan Theatre to see the audience’s reaction. The theatre was packed, so we sat on the stairs. I remember people from all walks of life were under one roof to see the film. Whenever Sunny sir delivered his dialogues or performed a stunt, everybody would stand on the seats, clap and whistle. I hope Gadar 2 also receives a similar response.”
‘Sunny sir uplifts his co-stars and helps them do well’
Ask him if he felt nervous facing the camera with Sunny after 22 years, and he says, “You are nervous until the time you are in front of the camera because the camera is a great leveller. No one is senior or junior, younger or older. I am always a little in awe of Sunny sir when he is on set, but in front of the camera, we are actors and have to perform. There is no scope for nervousness, especially when you are motivated by the fact that you are working with an actor of his stature.”
Utkarsh shares that Sunny has influenced him a lot, especially because his father (Anil Sharma) has worked extensively with him. He says, “I have seen Sunny sir on multiple sets, including Gadar, Apne (2007), Singh Saab The Great (2013) and now Gadar 2. He has this big action star, larger-than-life image, but when you do an emotional scene with him, you realize that he is so much more than just an action star. And all that is translated into box-office success. I am a big Sunny Deol fan. As a kid, I got to work with him, and it was a dream come true when I got to work with him again. I discovered a lot about him this time around. I was surprised to know that he is a tech freak and that he played football in school. As an actor, he uplifts his co-stars and helps you do well.”
‘Gadar 2 helped me to be a little more free-spirited’
Utkarsh, who starred in Genius (2018), says that working on an intense film like Gadar 2 helped him grow as an actor. He shares, “Gadar 2 helped me be a little more free-spirited, because Jeete ka character waisa hai. When Jeete was a kid, he had certain characteristics – woh thoda ziddi tha, he would go to any limits for his parents and was very protective about his mother. I knew that I could not deviate from that and create a whole new character. So, I had to keep that behaviour, but at the same time introduce some newness to the character.”
My mom told me that she watched Gadar's shoot while holding me in her arms-Simratt Kaur Randhawa
8:26 AM
Simratt, who features in Gadar 2, shares how Deol taught her to be true to her emotions during the shoot
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; August 7, 2023)
As a child, Simratt Kaur Randhawa was among the many who had witnessed the filming of Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001) in Amritsar. Over 22 years on, she finds herself a part of its sequel Gadar 2: The Katha Continues, starring alongside Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma.
“During the Gadar shoot, there was a huge crowd gathered to watch Sunny sir and Ameesha ji. My mom told me that she watched the shoot while holding me in her arms. I joke that the makers were waiting for me to grow up to make Gadar 2,” laughs Kaur.
The actor, who has previously starred in Telugu and Tamil movies, is foraying into Bollywood with the Anil Sharma-directed action drama in which she plays the love interest of Utkarsh’s character. Grateful for the director’s faith in her, Kaur prepped extensively to play a character living in 1970s India. But she reveals that no prep came close to the learning she imbibed while working with Deol.
“While shooting an emotional scene, I wasn’t able to give a perfect [take]. He told me, ‘If you try to act, [your effort] will be visible on screen. Switch off for a few minutes, feel the emotion and then you won’t need to act.’ That advice will always stay with me,” she smiles.
I don’t think there has been any film as romantic as Gadar-Sunny Deol
8:43 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; July 24, 2023)
Whatever Sunny Deol does – he packs a punch. When he appears on screen, he’s larger than life, when he delivers his dhai-kilo heavy dialogues, the impact stays. And when he sits down for an interview (rare occasion), he flows. Fearlessly! Much like his on-screen avatar. On August 11, he will be seen in theatres as the lovable Tara Singh in Gadar 2, directed by Anil Sharma. Excerpts from a conversation...
In the past, you have said that no film is as romantic as Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. Today, 22 years later, when you are all set to release Gadar 2, do you still believe that?
Absolutely! I don’t think there has been any film which is as romantic and has touched families and youngsters in a way that film did. People made Gadar what it is. It has got so much love all these years, and when it was released in theatres again recently, I saw how happy people were. It seemed like they were watching a new film. It gave me a boost.
Gadar: Ek Prem Katha was a love story with the underlying theme of patriotism. In an interview earlier, you said that we shouldn’t be giving films tags like ‘patriotic’ etc. How would you describe Gadar 2?
I don’t know why we need to tag films. Jo film dekhte hai, woh tag ke liye nahin dekhte hai, they get absorbed into the world of the film. People didn’t go to see Gadar because of the action. In fact, the action was not of that calibre, and we didn’t have special effects back then. The action was driven by pure emotion, where a person is protecting his family and fighting for a cause. Tara Singh (the character played by Sunny) has emotional strength; it is not just about physical strength. For Gadar 2, we had to come up with a subject around that period, so there is little change to the ambience. The audience believed in those characters (in the first film) and with Gadar 2, they will be reliving it all over again.
You are the OG action hero, and your kind of action has always been more raw and real. Today, the action we see in our movies is far more stylized, and many say it is of international standards. How do you view it?
In our time, we didn’t have all these gadgets and VFX. We would fall and get hurt. I have suffered multiple injuries and gone through back surgeries. Today, we are copying everyone, we are not creating our own action. Earlier, we would ourselves be involved in our action scenes, and be a part of creating the action scene. The action today has become too gimmicky, yes, it might look good on screen, but earlier there was a certain beauty to it, which has been destroyed. I have nothing against what people are doing, and if the audience is connecting with it, maybe the action is working fine.
Do you ever feel unnerved by the current uncertainty that everyone is talking about – that no one from the movie business can figure out what is really working at the box office?
I have never felt unnerved by box-office numbers as I believe that there is so much to do. There are many ways of portraying stories, but every Friday, we change our vision, and we say that, ‘Yeh nahin chal raha hai, toh aisa karo’. But this has been happening forever, it’s not new. Yeh jo hum uspe baith ke thesis karne lagte hai, we don’t need to. We need to believe in our stories and tell them to our audience.
Gadar: Ek Prem Katha had clashed with Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India, and there are many big box office clashes this year. Even Gadar 2 is clashing with another film on a Friday. What do you feel about that?
Gadar did 100 crore plus, while Lagaan did much lesser. I don’t understand why people compare – whether it’s from the business or likeability point. Gadar didn’t have the perception, people thought it is this masala film, yeh purani type ki picture hai, purane type ke gaane hai. On the other hand, people thought Lagaan was classic, etc. The so-called people who talk about films had run down Gadar completely. It went on to become a people’s film, and they loved it. At award shows, I remember that they made a spoof of Gadar, but we weren’t bothered by it. It has happened with some of my other films too, like Ghayal and Dil, which clashed. There is no comparison, but people like to do it. What I am trying to say is that jo film zyada acchi hoti hai phir bhi aap usko doosre films ke barabari mein le aatey ho. Jis cheez ki barabari nahin hai, mat karo.
How attached do you get to your success or failure?
Everyone likes success, obviously. I get flustered at times, not because of the failures, but because the perception game is so big that good content/cinema often doesn’t get the credit it merits. What is not as good, uska dhanda accha ho jaata hai because of perception. The world is moving at such a fast pace right now that everything is a fashion – how you talk, what you eat, what you watch. Mostly people don’t have their own taste, as they are following the rest. I feel what has gone wrong in our country is that we are all just following trends like – we should eat this, follow this diet, that routine, khane mein yeh add karo, woh mat karo. Today, everyone’s make-up and clothes are so similar that they all look similar. So rather than indulging in the emotion, our movies want to reflect that and maybe the audience wants it to be that way. I guess that is the way it is.
Three generations of actors at home, what are the conversations like? Is your son Karan’s taste in cinema different from yours?
In our family, we are all like reflections of each other. I don’t know how my kids are going to handle today’s world out there (laughs!), but they will have to. How they will do it, I have no idea. I never knew much when I joined the industry, so I would be shocked by things, because at home it was a different reality. But eventually, you start seeing the world, understanding reality and adapting to it.
I can’t be influenced by society. It has to be the other way around-Mithoon
7:58 AM
Offering a true tribute to Gadar’s Udd Jaa Kaale Kaava with his ballad-like rendition, composer Mithoon says he prefers to keep an arm’s length from discussions that attempt to unravel the reason behind his success
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; July 10, 2023)
Amid the spate of remixes of ’90s ditties that have flooded the music industry in the last few years, only a handful have been created with such prowess that they can make a listener skip a heartbeat. Serving as true tributes to the original chartbusters, these recreations diligently amalgamate the beauty of the classics with contemporary demands. For this writer, Mithoon Sharma’s version of the Gadar number, Udd Jaa Kaale Kaava, is one such offering. Over two decades after the release of the original, enhanced music production techniques appear to have given Udit Narayan’s vocals a new lease of life in this ballad-like rendition.
“I don’t think I would be able to imagine this song without him. He is part of the song’s genesis. The way he has maintained himself and his vocal quality is commendable; he sounds so good even today, at the age of 67. He sang each line again for this version. People have connected with the [song] and his voice,” says Sharma, who, despite being vocal about his opposition to recreations, agreed to work on this one because “cinematically, there was a [valid] reason to recreate it”.
Speaking of the track that will feature in the film’s upcoming second instalment, he says, “I was sure that I would not change the original composition or poetry. Our director [Anil Sharma] appreciated the reverence. It does have a certain folk-base, and I wanted that to be reflected in the way it was rendered. You can hear a new set of progression and I’ve added [elements] that are telling of my work. When it begins, you can gauge that this is my work,” says Sharma, who also retained the instruments used in the original.
A spate of appreciated releases behind him, Sharma attributes his success to his ability to stay true to himself, and his admirers. “It is the people with whom an artiste has conversations. They are the ones who make a song what it eventually becomes. I feel I have a strong connection with them. Whenever I have been true to my heart, my work has connected with them.” However, when his close associates attempt to unravel his work to study his recipe for success, the composer dissociates with the attempts.
“As a composer, if I think [about this] too much, I won’t be able to make music. I can’t be influenced by society. It has to be the other way around. I am grateful that my music is reaching every corner of India. It makes me realize that Indian artistes have so much more to offer.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)