Anil Sharma Interview: ...so that's why Anil Sharma made Gadar-2, also made big revelations about Sunny and Ameesha

Gadar-2 is also ready for release on August 11 in the era of franchise films. The film is a sequel to the 2001 film Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. Both films have been directed by Anil Sharma. Years ago, Anil had said that he would never make a sequel to Gadar. Then something happened and they had to take the story forward. From where did Gadar-2 start, and how did he make Sunny Deol Tara Singh again, excerpts from a conversation with Anil on many such issues:

1. Is there more confidence about the release of Gadar 2 than Gadar?

Even when we made Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, there was confidence. Without confidence, a director cannot make a film. 100 stories come to the director, out of which if one select to make a story, he will believe in it. I had faith in myself then as well as now.

Gadar: When we released the film Ek Prem Katha again in the past, even then the film did a business of 2.5 to 3 crores. We released the film only to bring back memories of the story. Thought the film would do business of Rs 50-75 lakhs, but didn't know it would get such a good opening. This is the reason why I am not nervous about Gadar 2, but as the release time is nearing, there is a concern because the film is going to go to the public. Only good work should reach them.

2. You had said many years ago that you will never make a sequel to Gadar...

Yes, indeed, I did not want to pursue the story of Gadar. I had never thought, nor had I kept the ending of that film in such a way that I would make Gadar 2. In the year 2001, there was not much trend for sequel films. However, used to make sequel films abroad. Every time I was asked questions regarding the sequel of Gadar. Wherever he used to go, one or the other used to ask when Gadar-2 is being made. I used to say that from where to make it.

There should be some story too. People have been asking for many years, but I was determined not to make it until a different story is found, which can move forward with the characters of Tara Singh, Sakina, and Jeete. I didn't want to cache the Gadar name. Writer Shaktimaan (Talvar) came up with the idea of Gadar-2. I felt that the film is moving forward with these characters, hence the thought of making Gadar 2. Had such a story not been found, Gadar-2 would not have been made.

3. How did you convince Sunny Deol to play Tara Singh after so many years?

When we talked to Sunny sir, he had also said earlier that where will Sharma ji take forward the Gadar story? The day I got the story and narrated it to him, within five minutes he said let's make it.

4. How much technology has been used in the film this time?

In Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, we mobilized a crowd of more than fifty thousand people for the scene of the India-Pakistan partition. Then the use of visual effects (VFX) was less in our films. Technology was also not that advanced. Today there is no need to gather so many people, everything is possible with technology. Talking about Gadar-2, 90 percent of the film does not have VFX. We have used technology only in those scenes where it was required. I have made more than 100 real explosions for action scenes. 15-20 vehicles and trucks have been blown up.

People are so used to seeing VFX in movies today that if real things are shown, they don't believe it. This is the reason why Hollywood actor Tom Cruise also had to come forward and tell people about his actual stunt scene in his film Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One.

5. Did the actual blasting cost more than the VFX?

Yes, it was a very costly and time-consuming process, but I had to make the visuals look real. Many people had also told me that VFX would work in a particular scene. I said no, we will continue to do things traditionally because the real thing is different. The hammer that Sunny sir is wielding in the trailer is also real, so when he hits the jeep with it, his power is visible.

6. Couldn't this film have been made on any other background other than India-Pakistan?

An important part of the story of Gadar has been the India-Pakistan partition. The story of this film is about a father bringing his son back home, which could have happened in any city. But being Gadar-2, the background could have been India-Pakistan only, because that was the biggest event in that period. The story could not have happened without Tara, Sakina, Jeete, Wo Kaal, and India-Pakistan.

7. Any specific reason for releasing the film around Independence Day?

I am filled with the spirit of patriotism. In such a situation, when I make a story, a feeling of patriotism emerges in it, which reaches the screen. I felt the right decision to release this film around Independence Day.

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