The entertainment world moves fast, and Rajkumar Santoshi questions audience hesitation over Sunny Deol playing a Muslim in Batwara 1947; asks, “If Spiderman’s name was Aslam Sheikh, would they reject him?” is the latest development catching everyone's eye. From fans to industry insiders, the reaction has been immediate.
The Story So Far
Add as a preferred source on Google Rajkumar Santoshi directorial Batwara 1947, starring Sunny Deol in a Muslim part for the first time, has been receiving positive feedback from audiences who have watched the movie. However, filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi shares he is surprised that the appreciation has not translated into stronger box office numbers.
The filmmaker has now urged audiences to come to cinemas, watch the movie and then form their own opinion. Speaking to a portal/publication, Santoshi said, “It is important that people come out and watch the movie.” He went on to highlight the response from those who have already seen the Partition drama. “The people who have seen the movie Batwara are liking it a lot.” According to Santoshi, the movie has also prompted viewers to reach out to the team.
“They are appreciating it a lot. They are sending so many fan mails. They are getting so many bookings.” The filmmaker further described the heartfelt response from audiences emerging from cinemas.
“People are calling and appreciating it. And when people who have come out of the cinemas are asked how it is – their targets are tearful.” Santoshi also disclosed that some viewers have compared Batwara 1947 with Sunny Deol’s box office juggernaut Gadar, which remains one of the performer’s biggest commercial successes.
He said, “Everyone is saying that ‘it is a bigger movie than Gadar. It is a better movie than Gadar’. Gadar is one of the biggest crosses of Sunny's career.” Despite the positive word of mouth, Santoshi expressed his surprise over the movie’s box office turn.
“They are appreciating it so much. But they are not showing the box office numbers. I am surprised about the people who are not coming.” The filmmaker believes that Sunny Deol’s Muslim part could potentially be one of the reasons why some audiences are staying away from the movie.
“I wonder why are they not coming? Either they have heard that Sunny is doing a Muslim part. Sunny has played a Muslim in the movie for the first time.
So why are they not watching the movie?” Rajkumar Santoshi Calls Out Hate Against #Batwara1947 🔥🚨 Rajkumar Santoshi slammed those spreading hate and said some people are refusing to watch Batwara 1947 because #SunnyDeol portrays a Muslim part. He questioned: If #SpiderMan were named “Aslam Sheikh” and came from… pic.twitter.com/2SHfueMr01 — Rahul Gupta (@RahulGupta25376) August 21, 2026 Santoshi stressed that viewers should experience the movie before making a judgement.
“I want people to come and watch the movie. After watching it, they are entitled for their opinion. But they should come and watch the movie.
Do they think – ‘Sunny is doing a Muslim part. That is why we will not watch the movie?’” The filmmaker then used the example of the globally popular superhero Spider-Man to question whether a part’s name or geographical setting should influence the viewers’s perception. “If tomorrow …
As the story continues to develop, TeraMovies will keep you updated with every new detail. Until then, this remains one of the most closely watched entertainment stories of the week — and the conversation is only getting started.
