Rajkumar Santoshi REJECTS Shabana Azmi’s ‘Muslim Character’ Theory For Batwara 1947 Failure: ‘Makes No Sense’

Rajkumar Santoshi has offered a different perspective on the response to his latest film Batwara 1947, disagreeing with Shabana Azmi’s explanation for why the period drama failed to strike a chord with viewers. The veteran actress had earlier speculated that audiences might have found it difficult to see Sunny Deol essaying a Muslim character.

Santoshi, however, does not believe the actor’s on screen identity was responsible for the film’s reception. In an interview with Variety India, the filmmaker argued that Hindi cinema has a long history of leading stars portraying characters belonging to communities different from their own. He brought up Amitabh Bachchan’s performance in Coolie to make his point.

“It makes no sense to me. Amitabh Bachchan played a Muslim hero in ‘Coolie.’ So many of Manmohan Desai’s films had Muslim heroes. Are we at a point where we cannot accept a hero from the other community? We are sensible, good people, educated people. How are they saying there’s a big mistake in the film?”

For Santoshi, the discussion also reflects a wider change in how audiences perceive stories dealing with religion and identity. Although he does not agree that Sunny’s character being Muslim explains the film’s outcome, he feels that people today are increasingly less open to perspectives that encourage coexistence and understanding.

It makes no sense to me. Amitabh Bachchan played a Muslim hero in ‘Coolie.’ So many of Manmohan Desai’s films had Muslim heroes. Are we at a point where we cannot accept a hero from the other community? We are sensible, good people, educated people. How are they saying there’s a big mistake in the film?

- Rajkumar Santoshi

The filmmaker also reflected on his earlier work, particularly Lajja, while considering whether a film made in the present day would receive the same response. When asked about the portion of the 2001 film that drew from the Ramayana, Santoshi spoke about the importance of understanding a creator’s intention rather than immediately judging a story through a religious lens.

“We have become far less tolerant and inclusive as a people. You should look at the filmmaker’s intent and what the writer wants to say. I’m a Hindu. I go to the temple. My son’s name is Ram. I am not against any faith. But I want to take the best of every faith. Whatever the saints have tried to say about faith, it is always about equality. Hinduism has always been about inclusiveness, not exclusion.”