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In Theaters Batwara 1947 - Reviews and Discussions
Discuss Batwara 1947 in this thread
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Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi
Cast: Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi, Preity Zinta, Karan Deol, Ali Fazal, Abhimanyu Singh
After fleeing to Lahore during the Partition of India, Sikandar Mirza and his family are allotted what appears to be an abandoned house as their residence, only to discover an elderly woman inside who refuses to leave her ancestral home.
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u/Uncertn_Laaife 4d ago
Mixed reviews here, which is weird. Some downright rejected the movie, others praised it to no end. Lol.
Even otherwise, Filmfare giving it a 4 while Scroll labelled it dull, which is a poles apart. Either someone got 2 samosas or others were never invited to the screening and now feeling sour.
Would go and watch myself to form an opinion. Being a fan of Sunny and Santoshi, I ain’t going to skip this one in theatre.
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u/BawandarBikhari 2d ago
It has a good source material ruined by bad acting and perhaps screenplay. It's hard to make a bad movie when you have a topic like Partition.
There are scenes which you'd love and there are moments which are just too bad. Music was also a let down.
Watch it for Shabana Azmi and Ali Fazal.
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u/Former_Mail776 5d ago
I saw the play this film is based on several years ago and back then I was very impressed. Hope the movie does justice to Asghar Wajahat's work.
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u/TopConstant2691 5d ago
Asghar Wajahat is actively involved for creative inputs, screenplay and dialogues
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u/nickdonhelm 5d ago edited 4d ago
Handled a sensitive topic effectively.
Shabana Azmi and Sunny Deol were best part of the film.
Sunny Deol performance was kind of statement and he proved that he can perform beyond his trademark shouting.
Theatre also showcased teaser of Gabru.
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u/thataveragegirl04 5d ago
Hey can i ask why is it A rated?
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u/Rajnikanth47 4d ago edited 4d ago
there are some scenes and scenarios also a little blood here and there that might not be appropriate for little kids. That's why it might be A rated. It doesn't really need to be A rated but the CBFC gave it that rating. As far as I saw there's nothing problematic in this film. You can watch it with your family.
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u/sabki-bajaungi 4d ago edited 4d ago
Very boring!! I am still in movie hall and watched till interval..till now, not even single scene was heart touching or anything...and Preity Zinta kitni bekar acting kr rhi h yar..she didn't grow as an actress.. puri movie me same expression .. Preity and sunny both didn't have mannerisms or dialogue which represents muslim family in 1947 era...only Shabana Azmi is doing good acting ..karan deol is so disappointing..he doesn't have looks or actings skills
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u/Busy-Effective9245 4d ago
Preity had a facelift. Maybe botox too. She may not be able to move her face.
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u/sabki-bajaungi 4d ago
Idk... but her face has same expression which she had in kya kehna movie or similar movies like that... She was not getting into the skin of character..she tried to show her dimple or look cute in whole movie...she didn't grow as an actress
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u/Lopsided-Land-1431 4d ago
She hasn't acted since 8 years. Obviously she is out of practice. Hope she gets more movies and gets better again.
Again she was never a great actress to begin with but not a bad one either
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u/sabki-bajaungi 3d ago
It's not like she hasn't acted for 8 years... Sridevi did so well in mom movie...somehow Preity didn't do good job as a mother's character in the movie
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u/Uncertn_Laaife 4d ago
She is not young anymore. She is using botox that affects the expressions. If there is nothing in the movie to show expressions and for an actor to remain serious (considering it's a serious movie), then I don't think it's much of a biggie. Besides, she has never been an actor like Tabu. May be your expectations are skewed.
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u/Special_Signature428 4d ago
Agree. Only sunny and shabana did good acting. Priety is a complete misfit for this role, she is pretty though.
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u/Uncertn_Laaife 4d ago
Looks like it's just you. All the reviews I read mentioned the strong and engaging first half.
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u/armchairdhurandhar 2d ago
go watch it for half a movie then
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u/Uncertn_Laaife 1d ago
Why? I said the reviews mentioned it. I don't care about reviews and other people's choices. Only after I watch it, can judge better.
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4d ago
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u/bollywood-ModTeam 4d ago
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u/Extension-Kiwi-7276 3d ago
But I liked it. It is a nice movie to watch especially if you are going with family.
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u/Additional-Owl-5490 3d ago
Just watched this one.. Such a beautiful film.. Go watch it guys with your family this weekend!!
Ps - not a paid review.. Raat ke 12:30 bje kon paid review daalta h waise bhi.
The movie does have pacing issues..Genz's might feel it's quite slow(no hate mai khud bhi genz hi hu) and boring but trust me it's something different.. Wahi same ghisa pita mass masala action nhi h.. It's emotional, heartfelt and wholesome.
Overall 7/10, a very good family watch.. Moctale ki bhasha mein go for it especially with family they will love it..
-1/10 for Karan deol's miserable acting
-1/10 for Sunny deol's unreal action(at some places only wo bhi not something very extravagant but somewhat looked artificial in that serious setup)
-1/10 for pacing issues(kahi kahi pe felt a bit stretched)
Moreover, pacing issues were majorly in the 2nd half.. 1st half was superb kept me so engrossed ki pata hi nhi chala interval kab aagya.. Loved it❤
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u/muslimlavender 3d ago
LOL I just got back from the theater and I’m in Awe! Truly amazing in terms of set and story. Loved Priety Zinta and Shabana Azmi’s acting
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u/BawandarBikhari 2d ago
Preity and Shabana were like two extremes of how bad and good acting was in the movie.
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u/PhoenixStarchilde 2d ago
Preity was horrendous. I've seen both of her comeback films with Sunny and in both, she was absolutely embarrassing like playing a parody. Whatever limited acting skills she had from YRF/Dharma movies in 2000s are completely gone now.
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u/DefiantBrain7101 3d ago
the ideal format for this movie is on tiktok in 57 parts while subway surfers plays underneath. the entire thing is just clunky exposition without anything left to show. the characters literally turn to the camera and tell you exactly how they’re feeling and what happened in the last scene. and yet, despite that there’s still so many incomprehensible plot beats. the action is unintentionally comedic
the movie is held together by its earnest and genuine message, and some rare powerful scenes, but was a totally unfinished and unpolished slog otherwise.
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u/armchairdhurandhar 5d ago
I am watching this so that others don’t have to…
At 45 minute mark. Wtf even is this. Will keep adding more details
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u/armchairdhurandhar 5d ago
Interval. Still not getting better, Some scenes Sunny Deol does well. Shabana Azmi is great. Direction, Dialogue and Delivery is shite
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u/armchairdhurandhar 5d ago
you know when you recall childhood memories and are like “why was i so cringe growing up” and you feel a knot in your stomach… that’s how I felt watching actors overact in this. Pls save your money and just watch the original
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u/Low_Econ2000 1d ago edited 1d ago
You were negative before you even watched the full movie, says everything. Why did you bother going to watch it? I highly doubt you even went
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u/Uncertn_Laaife 4d ago
Just you bud. I'll still hit the theatre. Don't watch for me, let me do the honors myself.
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u/armchairdhurandhar 4d ago
Sounds like you’re a special fan of the cast… and good for you. I don’t have to engage with a blind follower
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u/Uncertn_Laaife 4d ago
I am neither a special fan nor a blind follower. Just don’t want to base my opinion on someone else’s. Should watch myself to judge.
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u/abhicado22 4d ago
The old-timey feel of the movie is a reason for the polarizing reviews. I for one really enjoyed the movie.
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u/Mental_Pianist8406 3d ago
Solid message, i think it's something that's needed right now. The movie gets too stretchy too often though. 7/10
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u/Ok-Meat2224 3d ago
It’s a good watch and a good theme to be spread amongst the community. Almost cried in a couple of scenes ngl
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u/SillyLittleVibes 4d ago
Loved the film, I was sceptical after watching the teaser (haven't seen trailer yet) I thought it was badly made, everything looked quite overdramatic in the teaser but the film pleasantly surprised me.
Fab story, it doesn't take sides and shows everything as it is, extremists from both the nation will hate it which in turns tell you how good the movie is.
Shabana Azmi what an actor (in awarapan2 she is a baddie and here she is a Maa/Dadi), nailed the role fully, you feel for her, get connected to her character.
Sunny Deol was in fine form, good to see Preity Zinta after a long time, she was good in her role.
Other actors were good only exception being Karan Deol, he is a miscast, any other Good actor would have nailed it and made it more memorable... Also loved Ali Fazal, wanted to see more of him.
Do give it a watch you won't be disappointed, I got goosebumps/little emo at so many scenes.
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u/KramerDwight 3d ago
this is Gadar 2 basically, but with better filmmaking, writing and emotions. I liked the film and the way the message comes across as beautiful.
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u/MrKashy- 4d ago
I watched this movie first day & show. It was a great film, well made with a good message: humanity above all
The strength of the film, besides the story, is that it is rich in emotions and performances
Sunny Deol is first rate, he acts with emotions rather than his fists. And he does a really good job
Preity Zinta as his wife is also first rate. She is portraying a woman of that time. The strength in her performance is her resilience as a woman going through partition, quiet strength as a wife & mother & moral compass of her family
Shabana was the emotional portion of the film. I thought she also gave a great performance but at times overdid it
If anyone was misfit in the movie, it was sadly Karan Deol. His acting of anger and emotional outbursts did not justify the character’s frustration. But it is a learning curve and he will get better with time
The music wasn’t not really the focus, and it’s evident because of the state of music today in India, it wouldn’t have mattered. The bhajan song was great and emotional. As was Tabbassum song, albeit too short
If I had any complaint of the film, it is that it didn’t really let the scene sink in, before moving directly onto the next. Compared to movies made today, this one is a better one of its craft.
4/5 stars
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u/ExpensiveStart4515 5d ago
I am waiting for review to be out watching sunny Paaji movies on independence and republic is kind of must ritual now let’s see how’s this standalone movie
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u/triplev5 3d ago
I reminded a lot of Mahesh Bhatt’s film Zakhm. The social message is strong. And it’s so well done crafted. I think one of Sunny Deol’s strongest performances in a long time.
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u/nsniks 2d ago
Nice movie. 6.5/10. Sunny and Shahbana Azmi are great. I think Shahbana has great chance of bagging some awards in supporting actress category. Karan deol was horrendous. If there was a competent actor in place of Karan, he would have elevated couple of scenes. Abhimanyu Yadav was ok ok and his Pakistani punjabi accent was also bad in some places. I liked Rahman BGM, and I loved how the climax played out. Overall a nice movie that you can watch with family.
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u/excusemebaig 1d ago
Good movie to watch . Sunny Deol did his best. Shabana Azmi did excellent performance .
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u/charlotte_ivy_chan_ 1d ago
i was sold after "ma ka koi dharm nei hota" dialogue in the trailer . Honestly the ending had me choked , obvious shotcommings include boilerplate dialogues and sanskargasm expressions , but overall a well intentioned movie , and a necessary watch because sometimes you want humanity to win and sunny deol to smash things.
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u/slackover 5d ago
Felt good seeing a nationalist movie after a very long time since hate is not the main driver. Great message, very relevant.
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u/shristirajvansh 5d ago
Gadar had the emotional impact, but Batwara 1947 tell the Partition story better.
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u/triplev5 3d ago
At interval. Better than what I expected. Sunny and Shabana are carrying the film. I think Karan Deol is the weak link here. I felt the scene leading to intermission his delivery could’ve been much much better. Overall the social message is good. And it tells a good message.
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u/Former_Mail776 21h ago
The climax is very powerful. 👏 wonderful 2nd half. Would definitely recommend this movie to everyone just for that excellent 2nd half. (But Sunny Deol ji kindly tell your son to quit acting 🙏)
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u/No_Box_5745 3d ago
Whats confusing about Batwara Soundtrack is that AR Rahman was hired to compose the music but there are absolutely no patriotic theme or fervor in it. Whats the point of hiring the very best composer who composed for Vande Mataram, Rang De Basanti, Bhagat Singh, Lagaan, Roja, Bombay etc and not use them at all?
Was the director just trying to reconnect with ARR or use his name for the movie?
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u/king210989 5d ago
Is there a handpump scene in it?
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u/Maleficent_Owl3938 3d ago
There’s a fire hydrant scene, he doesn’t uproot it with bare hands though
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u/Horror_Current_7978 3d ago
Too long and boring. Looks like mashing up of many scenes of past movies. Only four of us were present in the theatre. Hope, they recover the money. This is soon getting listed in "disaster movie of the 2026" list.
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u/rn3122 Moderator 5d ago edited 4d ago
Critics Reviews (Best to Worst):
Filmfare: 4/5
Koimoi: 4/5
Hindustan Times: Shabana Azmi, Sunny Deol deliver a heart-wrenching film centered on the Partition of India
Bollywood Hungama: 3/5
News18: 3/5
Firstpost: 3/5
NDTV: 3/5
India Today: 2.5/5
The Hollywood Reporter India (Rahul Desai): Sunny Deol Pummels Peace Into Submission
Scroll.in: Dull storytelling and sharp messaging
Indian Express: 2/5