During a promotional interaction for his much-awaited period film "Batwara 1947", actor Sunny Deol said the film, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, explores the idea of humanity being the "biggest religion," calling it the "core" of the film. Slated for theatrical release on August 14, "Batwara 1947"

During a promotional interaction for his much-awaited period film "Batwara 1947", actor Sunny Deol said the film, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, explores the idea of humanity being the "biggest religion," calling it the "core" of the film. Slated for theatrical release on August 14, "Batwara 1947"

During a promotional interaction for his much-awaited period film "Batwara 1947", actor Sunny Deol said the film, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, explores the idea of humanity being the "biggest religion," calling it the "core" of the film. Slated for theatrical release on August 14, "Batwara 1947"

During a promotional interaction for his much-awaited period film "Batwara 1947", actor Sunny Deol said the film, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, explores the idea of humanity being the "biggest religion," calling it the "core" of the film.

Slated for theatrical release on August 14, "Batwara 1947" is based on Asghar Wajahat's acclaimed play 'Jis Lahore Nai Dekhya, O Jamyai Nai'. Backed by Aamir Khan Productions, the film aims to convey the impact of Partition on ordinary families.

Adding further, the actor shared that a mother-like figure is the heart of the story, that she is a "religion" in and of herself, that nothing is bigger than her. Shabana Azmi plays this character, while Deol and Preity Zinta essay a couple migrating from India to Pakistan.

Sunny Deol’s son Karan also plays his on-screen son. Ali Fazal appears in an integral role.

"Batwara 1947" marks Deol's reunion with Santoshi after a long hiatus. The duo has in the past delivered such celebrated hits as "Ghayal" (1990), "Damini" (1993) and "Ghatak" (1996).

"Our earlier films dealt with society and families in different ways. 'Batwara' is also a family story of a different kind," the actor said, adding that he had listened to Partition stories told by grandparents, and how they evoked fear and warmth simultaneously. "Those stories were tinged with fear, but also featured people helping one another. They stayed with me."

The actor said he chose to refrain from seeing stories through a political prism. When quizzed about comparisons to "Gadar", Deol said that the former was a love story set during Partition, whereas "Batwara 1947" is about families affected severely by Partition and the emotional impact of migration.

Deol also expressed hopes of making a big-scale cinematic epic on Emperor Ashoka, in which he expects to work with his sons.

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