Amid ‘Batwara 1947’ promotions, Sunny Deol recalls how Dharmendra backed Ghayal after every producer rejected it: ‘Some journeys come full circle in ways you can never plan’
Sunny Deol has begun promoting his upcoming movie ‘Batwara 1947’ and was recently in Jaipur for the same. The actor marked the occasion with an emotional note about his career-defining film ‘Ghayal’. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, who also helmed ‘Ghayal’ (1990), the new film brings Sunny back to the same city where his father, veteran actor Dharmendra, once decided to back that breakthrough project. Let’s learn what the veteran actor has to say.
Sunny Deol reveals how Dharmendra decided to back ‘Ghayal’
Sharing a video featuring Rajkumar Santoshi on X, Sunny Deol wrote, “Some journeys come full circle in ways you can never plan. Years ago, I believed deeply in a script written by a young Rajkumar Santoshi. We tried taking it to producers, but no one was ready to back the film. That was when I decided to take it to Papa. Papa was shooting for ‘Batwara’ in 1988 in Jaipur & staying at Rambagh Palace. Raj gave him the complete narration of ‘Ghayal’, & the moment it ended, Papa said yes.”The actor further added, “More than the film, what stayed with me was how proud he was that I had recognised and stood by such a powerful story. That faith became Ghayal. And now, all these years later, I returned to Jaipur for the first promotions of Batwara 1947. Papa’s Batwara (1989). My #Batwara1947 (2026). The same city. A lifetime of memories. And a circle that feels beautifully complete.”
More about ‘Batwara 1947’
In ‘Batwara 1947′, Sunny Deol plays a Muslim man who migrates to Pakistan during the Partition, only to find a Hindu woman, played by Shabana Azmi, living upstairs in his home and refusing to leave. Sunny Deol’s character then takes responsibility for protecting her while also safeguarding his own family amid the communal riots of the time.The movie marks the first on-screen pairing of Sunny Deol with his son Karan Deol, who plays his son in the story. The supporting cast includes Ali Fazal, Abhimanyu Singh, Khushi Hajare and Kanikka Kapur in key roles.’Batwara 1947’ is also notable for marking Preity Zinta’s comeback to acting after more than five years away from the screen. The film’s music has been composed by AR Rahman, with lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar, and it has received clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification without any cuts. Aamir Khan has backed this project under his banner and is set to arrive in cinemas on August 14, 2026. Go to Source
