Rajkumar Santoshi Says Batwara 1947 Would Have Done Better Without An A Certificate

Director Rajkumar Santoshi has spoken candidly about the A certificate awarded to his recently released film Batwara 1947, admitting that the certification may have affected the film's theatrical business. During a recent interaction, the filmmaker was asked about the surprise among audiences over the certification, particularly as viewers have pointed out that similar films can receive more liberal classifications in international markets.

Addressing the question, Santoshi defended the choices made by the team and stressed that Batwara 1947 was never dependent on the usual commercial ingredients associated with mainstream cinema. “See, everyone involved made the best decision possible given the situation. I wouldn't say the film relies on an 'item song' or a chart-topping track; the subject matter stands on its own. You shouldn't analyze it in those terms,” he said.

The filmmaker further explained that the film's strength lies in its subject and writing rather than spectacle. “It doesn't depend on fight sequences or action; the theme and the dialogue carry it. It didn't need those other elements. Everyone did excellent work,” Santoshi added.

The conversation then turned directly towards the box office impact of the certification. When asked whether Batwara 1947 could have performed better commercially had it received a more accessible certificate, Santoshi gave an unequivocal answer. “It definitely would have been better,” he said.

However, the filmmaker believes the A certificate has not completely prevented families and younger viewers from discovering the film. Santoshi pointed to what he has personally observed in theatres and through audience reactions online, saying that families are still making the effort to watch the film despite the classification.

“But even now, people are coming to the theaters—I’ve seen families and children attending, as you might have noticed on YouTube. Despite the certification, families are showing up,” Santoshi said, adding that the response from women audiences has particularly surprised and encouraged him.

The director went on to praise the overwhelmingly positive reactions he has received from those who have watched the film. “I’ve seen women praising the film highly; I’m truly amazed by the audience response. Everyone likes it—98-99% of people are speaking positively about it, just like the people here,” he said.

For Santoshi, the biggest frustration is therefore not necessarily the response to Batwara 1947, but the number of people who have yet to walk into a theatre and experience it. “It’s just a pity that more people didn't make it to the theaters,” he concluded.

Set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition, Batwara 1947 stars Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal, Karan Deol and others. Directed by Santoshi and produced by Aamir Khan, the period drama attempts to explore the human cost of Partition through a story centred on loss, displacement, faith and communal harmony.

Santoshi's comments underline the unusual position the film currently finds itself in: a project that appears to be receiving strong appreciation from those who have watched it, while still struggling to translate that appreciation into larger theatrical footfalls. For the filmmaker, the message is simple — the audience can decide for itself, but first, it needs to actually see the film.

Facebook Comments