Anil Sharma reveals how Punjab villagers saved the day during Gadar shooting

Director Anil Sharma, the man behind the iconic Bollywood film "Gadar: Ek Prem Katha" and its recent sequel "Gadar 2," recently shared a touching anecdote about the first film's production. During an interview with Bollywood Thikana, Sharma expressed his gratitude towards the residents of a Punjab village who extended a helping hand when the film's budget was tight, and he couldn't provide food and water for the crew.

Sharma recalled a time when he had to inform his team that he couldn't afford to provide basic necessities due to budget constraints. However, the villagers from Punjab stepped in, offering support and even volunteering as extras for the film. 

The filmmaker said, "The people of Punjab were amazing, and we got a lot of love from them. They helped us a lot when we were shooting in Firozpur with 50,000 people. There was a theatre owner who introduced me to more than 50 heads of panchayats (sarpanch). And each sarpanch brought at least 500 to 1000 people with them, and it was great."

Sharma also addressed the recent claim by Govinda that "Gadar" was initially offered to him. The director clarified that Sunny Deol had already been confirmed for the role before any discussions with Govinda took place.

"Gadar: Ek Prem Katha" became a massive hit upon its release in 2001, and its sequel, "Gadar 2," achieved similar success when it hit screens in August. The films feature an ensemble cast, including Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, and Utkarsh Sharma, and continue the story of Tara Singh's journey to Pakistan to rescue his son from captivity.

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