Storyline: Batwara 1947 is adapted from Asghar Wajahat’s classic Hindustani play Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya. Sikandar Mirza (Sunny Deol) is a middle-aged businessman from Meerut, living with his wife Hamida (Preity G Zinta), son Javed (Karan Deol) and daughter Tanno (Khhushi Hajare). On the eve of India’s Independence on August 14, 1947, he is delighted to see the country finally getting free from the clutches of the British.
However, Sikandar and his family’s joy is short-lived as communal riots start spreading in different parts of the country, including Meerut. Hence, Muslims are being forced to migrate to the newly-formed Pakistan. Sikandar doesn’t agree with the idea of migrating across the border since he is a true patriot. But as things start getting worse, he and his family are forced to migrate to Lahore, Pakistan via train.
After spending a few months in the refugee camp in Lahore, Sikandar’s family finally gets an accommodation in a large mansion called Durga Niwas. But as soon as they enter the place, they realize that an elderly lady Mai (Shabana Azmi) is already staying in it. She refuses to move out of the house as it belonged to her and her family before the Partition. What happens next forms the rest of the film.
Review: The first thing that you notice in Batwara 1947 is Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray’s rich production design that instantly transports you to the bygone era. The recreation of old Lahore is the most striking part about their work.
Batwara 1947 is much different than Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya. The character of the old lady is the main protagonist in the play. But the character of Sikandar takes center-stage in the movie. You still somehow are okay with it since the character of Mai is still given a lot of prominence.
But the issue is that the makers have tried very hard to please Sunny Deol’s fans by including a number of fight sequences at regular intervals. Plus, some action scenes are so over-the-top that you wonder how they got approved in a film of this nature. On the other hand, the same character in the play is just like a regular common man.
Having said that, Batwara 1947 also has its moments. It is heartening to see the message of humanity being spread through a story that is quite bold in terms of mainstream Hindi cinema’s standards. The bond between the Mirza family and Mai is quite heartwarming.
But when it comes to boldness, the play does it better with the characters of the poet and the Maulvi. Although both characters are present here, what they preach isn’t as hard-hitting and daring as seen in the play.
However, Batwara 1947 kind of redeems itself in the final moments. The film ends with a powerful message on humanity which is given purely through the use of heartwarming visuals instead of preachy dialogues.
Most of the performances fall in the positive. Sunny Deol does what he knows the best, which is mouthing powerful dialogues and bashing up people. One has to admit that only he could have given justice to a character like this. But Shabana Azmi is the scene-stealer. Her performance as Mai is sure to move hearts. Her portrayal is quite different than what Preeta Mathur did in the play. Preity G Zinta puts up a good act in her comeback role.
Abhimanyu Singh, as the baddie Yakub Khan, is decent. The issue is that his character is one-dimensional. The play sees the character of Sikandar’s daughter become an important reason behind the bonding between the family and Mai. But here, Khhushi Hajare’s character isn’t given much importance. Her act isn’t bad though. Karan Deol struggles to act yet again. This is particularly felt in a scene that is supposed to be heart-wrenching, but he makes it appear flat. Ali Fazal is likeable as the large-hearted poet. But the sub-plot of his love angle wasn’t required.
Overall: Batwara 1947 is a decent Partition drama aimed more towards Sunny Deol fans. The film is largely saved by the climax. It has a chance of appealing more to those who haven’t seen Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Producer: Aamir Khan Productions
Writers: Asghar Wajahat and Rajkumar Santoshi
Cast: Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi, Preity Zinta, Abhimanyu Singh, Karan Deol, Khhushi Hajare
Also read: Awarapan 2 review: Emraan Hashmi’s smashing comeback is an engaging crime drama
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