Many have compared the recent increase in cross-border partnerships to Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.The cross-border partition drama, starring Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel, was a huge success when it first came out in 2001. The same team has returned with a sequel, Gadar2, 22 years later.
The movie chronicled the path of a Sikh man who rescues a Muslim woman from a mob, falls in love with her, and gets married against the backdrop of India’s split in 1947. Because they were college friends, they can find comfort in one another in the uncomfortable situations, and eventually their friendship develops into love.
The sequel of the movie, which will hit theatres on August 11th, is now being promoted by Sunny Deol and Amisha Patel. In a recent interview, Deol was questioned about international love tales and if he thought the movie had an impact on them.
Deol was given specific examples of Seema Haider, a resident of Pakistan, who travelled to India to wed her “lover” from Greater Noida, and Anju, an Indian who crossed the border to be with her Pakistani “friend”.
When questioned if the movies had served as inspiration for these situations, Deol responded, “I don’t believe so… Nowadays, technology facilitates people meeting through apps. Once they develop feelings for each other, they naturally want to meet and be together. Instead of criticising or concerning ourselves with such matters, we should respect their choices, as it’s their personal life. Whether it’s right or wrong is for them to decide.”
He added “Since my childhood, I’ve rarely read newspapers or watched the news. I used to focus solely on the sports pages. News has become more like a commodity now.”
Deol also discussed his autonomous work style and lack of affiliation with any certain film camps. “I have no idea how to play the flattery game, and I don’t know what camps in the industry are. I have no desire to become that type of actor. My aspiration is simple: if you appreciate me, I’ll be here; if you don’t, then I won’t. My presence is determined by my talent; if I possess the art, I’ll be present; if not, I won’t. I acknowledge and embrace reality, so I steer clear of living in a fabricated world.”
Anil Sharma, who also helmed the previous installment, directed Gadar 2. Along with Deol, the movie also features Ameesha Patel, Utkarsh Sharma, Manish Wadhwa, and Gaurav Chopra. The movie will debut on August 11, 2023, in cinemas.
