Veteran actor Shabana Azmi became emotional while speaking about one of the most challenging moments she experienced during the shooting of ‘Batwara 1947’. At the film’s trailer launch, she reflected on a sequence that left her feeling deeply vulnerable. The actor also praised co-star Sunny Deol for the compassion he showed her immediately after the scene was filmed.Despite reportedly being unwell, Shabana attended the event and shared how the emotionally demanding sequence affected her beyond the camera. She said the experience stayed with her because it made her feel exposed in a way she had rarely experienced during her decades-long acting career. Explaining why the scene was so difficult, Shabana recalled portraying a character who is publicly humiliated by the antagonist. The veteran actor admitted that performing the sequence was emotionally exhausting and left her feeling vulnerable even after the cameras stopped rolling.At the trailer launch, she said, “There is a scene in the film which, personally, as a human being, made me feel very humiliated and very stripped of any dignity. You see a glimpse of it in the trailer, where the villain drags me and tears my kurta. At that moment, I don’t think I have ever felt so vulnerable and exposed as I did as a human being.”See More: ‘Batwara 1947’ trailer out: Sunny Deol’s fierce avatar, Shabana Azmi’s emotional presence and Preity Zinta’s performance revisit the horrors of partition
Sunny Deol’s gesture left Shabana Azmi emotional
Shabana then spoke about the moment that followed the completion of the scene. She revealed that Sunny Deol immediately came to her and covered her with a dupatta. The simple gesture offered comfort at a time when she felt emotionally shaken. She said, “When Sunny came and put that dupatta on me, in that moment he was not just my co-actor. He became my son, he became my protector. I hugged him with every iota of my being and said, ‘Thank God he’s there to save me.‘” The actor added that Sunny’s support helped her connect with the character’s emotions in a truthful way. Thanking him publicly, she said, “If, after 50 years as an actor, I can feel a moment so truthfully because of my co-actor, it is bound to translate on screen. I want to say thank you to you, Sunny, because of that.” Sunny Deol appeared visibly emotional as Shabana praised him on stage. The actor was seen wiping away tears while listening to her words.
Shabana Azmi shares a warm anecdote about the Deol family
She pointed out that her previous theatrical release featured Dharmendra, while her latest film stars Sunny Deol and Karan Deol. Speaking with humour, she said, “My last film to release in theatres was with Dharam ji, and now my next film is with Sunny and Karan. Now I can work with Abhay too. You all should ask Bobby to get ready as well.”
Sunny Deol calls ‘Batwara 1947’ a tribute to mothers
Later during the launch event, Sunny Deol reflected on his collaboration with filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi, with whom he has delivered several memorable films over the years. The actor said he has always enjoyed stories driven by emotion and honesty. Speaking about ‘Batwara 1947’, Sunny described it as an emotional tale centred on the relationship between a mother and her son. He said the film celebrates mothers and hopes audiences will embrace its heartfelt message.
