'Hamara Tiranga' release date changed due to two big films: Ashmit

Actor Ashmit Patel says the release date of his film "Hamara Tiranga" has been changed due to two big films releasing on January 25.

"'Hamara Tiranga' was scheduled to release on January 26 but two big releases are lined up ('Pad Man' and 'Padmaavat' that), so we decided to release our film one week earlier," Ashmit said here on Monday.

"So, fortunately or unfortunately, both my films ('Hamara Tiranga' and 'Nirdosh') are releasing on the same day. In my 15-year-career, this is happening for the first time but I think the audience can watch both my films," added the actor, best known for his performance in the 2004 erotic thriller film "Murder".

What made him work in "Hamara Tiranga", a period film?

"I hadn't done a period film earlier. Each actor tries to do something different with each film. I have worked in thrillers and a few rom-coms but I haven't got the opportunity to do a period film where there is so much of action. This film's script is really strong and my character is interesting as well," he said.

"I was born and brought up in Mumbai so to play a villager set in 1940 was the biggest challenge for me," he added.

Going by the posters, the look of the film is similar to Aamir Khan's successful film "Lagaan".

Asked him about the similarity, Ashmit said: "Definitely not. There are a few similarities as both are period films who rebel against Britishers and I am also playing a leader of a rebel group just like Aamir Khan did in 'Lagaan'."

"But the story of our film is totally different from 'Lagaan'. If our film works like 'Lagaan' at the box office then I will be very happy," he added.

"Hamara Tiranga" is the story of an Indian village people's war against the British Empire during the year 1942 and the ultimate victory of their freedom from British slavery.

Directed by Sanjeev Balath, the film is scheduled to release on Friday.