What is happening with the ambitious Rajkumar Santoshi historical Lahore 1947? Multiple release dates for Santoshi’s film, an adaptation of Asghar Wajahat’s play Jis Lahore Nai Dekhya O Jamyai Ni, have been announced. Aamir Khan, who produces the film, told this writer that he wanted to release Lahore 1947 after Sitaare Zameen Par. That too has come and gone. The latest on Lahore 1947 is that it will release with a new title, as we really can’t have an Indian film with the title taken from a city of Pakistan. Not in the present day political scenario. Now, speaking exclusively to this writer, Santoshi said, “You have to ask my producer Aamir Khan when Lahore 1947 is releasing. As for changing the title, I am totally against it. Of course, it is the producer’s call. But I am not in favour of this kind of appeasement. I’ve waited for almost twenty years to make this film. You could call it my dream project. What is meant to be is meant to be. I was destined to make it with Sunny (Deol). And he is perfect in his part. He brings an arresting fusion of the classic and contemporary to the screen. My past films with Sunny, Ghayal and Ghatak, have been landmarks in his career, and mine too. And now I am confident Lahore 1947 will have the same impact.”Santoshi also got to work with Shabana for the first time. “She has stunned audiences for fifty years. Just when we think there is nothing more for her to do, she comes up with another career-defining performance in Lahore 1947. Believe me, there won’t be a dry eye in the audience after watching her in my film. She is in many ways the central character of the film. And she had all of us enthralled. Not just as an actress but a human being. I can’t wait to work with her again.”Also Read: Will Aamir Khan now release Rajkumar Santoshi’s Indo-Pak partition film Lahore 1947?.
