Director Rajkumar Santoshi has spoken out against potential plans to change the title of his ambitious historical drama Lahore 1947, calling such a move “appeasement” he cannot support.
The film, which has seen multiple release dates come and go, may be forced to drop its original title due to current political sensitivities around using the name of a Pakistani city for an Indian production. However, Santoshi made his position clear in an exclusive statement.
“You have to ask my producer Aamir Khan when Lahore 1947 is releasing. As for changing the title, I am totally against it,” Santoshi said. “Of course, it is the producer’s call. But I am not in favour of this kind of appeasement.”
The project has been a labor of love for the acclaimed director, who has waited nearly two decades to bring this vision to life. Based on Asghar Wajahat’s play Jis Lahore Nai Dekhya O Jamyai Ni, the film explores India’s partition era—a chapter of history that continues to resonate deeply.
“I’ve waited for almost twenty years to make this film. You could call it my dream project,” Santoshi explained. “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.”
Santoshi, who previously directed Deol in landmark films like Ghayal and Ghatak, expressed confidence that their latest collaboration will have similar impact. “He brings an arresting fusion of the classic and contemporary to the screen,” the director said, predicting that Lahore 1947 will be another milestone in both their careers.
The film also marks Santoshi’s first collaboration with veteran actress Shabana Azmi, and his praise for her performance is effusive. “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,” he said.
According to Santoshi, Azmi’s role is central to the film’s emotional core. “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.”
The film is produced by Aamir Khan, who had previously indicated he wanted to release it after his film Sitaare Zameen Par. That film has already come and gone, leaving questions about when audiences will finally get to see Lahore 1947.
As for the title controversy, the final decision rests with Khan as producer, though Santoshi has made his creative stance abundantly clear. Whether the film releases with its original title or a new one remains to be seen, but the director’s conviction about his work is unwavering.
