Batwara 1947, formerly titled Lahore 1947, is exactly the kind of patriotic movie that we need to watch on Independence Day. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Aamir Khan Productions, this historical drama is set during the India-Pakistan Partition — one of the most painful and consequential chapters in the subcontinent’s history. The film hits theatres today, August 14, 2026, led by Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi and Ali Fazal in key roles.
Early reactions have already praised the film’s masterclass performances — if you’re still deciding whether it’s worth a watch, our Batwara 1947 movie review breaks down the story, performances and our final rating.
With a powerhouse cast and a creative team that includes A.R. Rahman, it has emerged as one of the biggest releases of August 2026. Here’s what we know about the film’s budget and what the cast is reportedly being paid.
Batwara 1947 Budget
Getting an exact figure on Batwara 1947’s budget is tricky, because different reports have put out different numbers.
Some industry estimates place the overall budget at around ₹150 crore. Other reports suggest a more specific breakdown — roughly ₹60-65 crore for production, with the total landing cost approaching ₹100 crore once you factor in an estimated ₹20 crore for prints and advertising.
Neither Aamir Khan Productions nor the makers have issued an official statement confirming the exact figure, so these numbers should be treated as informed industry estimates rather than confirmed facts. What’s clear, regardless of which figure proves accurate, is that this is a large-scale production. A period drama set against the backdrop of Partition demands extensive production design, costume work, and historically accurate sets — all of which add up quickly.
Batwara 1947 Cast Salary
Sunny Deol’s Salary: The Biggest Number on the Sheet
Whatever the final budget turns out to be, one figure has been consistently reported across multiple sources — Sunny Deol’s fee.
Sunny Deol is reported to have charged approximately ₹60 crore for his role in Batwara 1947. That’s an enormous number, and it reflects exactly where his career stands right now. Off the back of Gadar 2’s massive commercial success and the well-received Border 2 earlier this year, Deol has firmly re-established himself as one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars in the patriotic and historical drama space.
Some reports suggest his deal may also include profit-sharing arrangements on top of the base fee, which is increasingly common for major stars headlining big-budget films. If that’s accurate, his total earnings from the film could end up significantly higher depending on how it performs at the box office.
The Rest of the Cast Fees
The supporting cast brings serious weight of its own.
Preity Zinta plays a key role in the film and is reported to have charged approximately ₹10 crore for her part.
Ali Fazal, who recently impressed audiences in the Prime Video series Raakh, is also part of the principal cast and is reported to have charged around ₹7 crore for Batwara 1947.
Also Check: How Much Did Ali Fazal Charge for Raakh on Prime Video?
Abhimanyu Singh, who plays a key supporting role, is reported to have charged approximately ₹2 crore.
The film also features Shabana Azmi, Karan Deol, Khushi Hajare, and Kanikka Kapur in pivotal roles, though specific fee details for them haven’t been disclosed.
The Creative Team Behind It
Director Rajkumar Santoshi reunites with Sunny Deol after nearly three decades, which adds a layer of nostalgia and anticipation to the project on its own. The story is based on Asghar Wajahat’s acclaimed play Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya, O Jamya E Nai, exploring themes of survival, courage, and resilience during one of history’s most traumatic mass migrations.
Music by A.R. Rahman and lyrics by Javed Akhtar already make the soundtrack one of the most anticipated elements of the film, while cinematographer Santosh Sivan brings the kind of visual craftsmanship that period epics of this scale require.
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What This Means for the Film’s Prospects
With Sunny Deol’s fee alone reportedly touching ₹60 crore, and a total budget likely sitting somewhere between ₹100 and ₹150 crore depending on which estimate proves accurate, Batwara 1947 needs to perform strongly at the box office to be considered a financial success.
Given Deol’s recent track record with patriotic and historical content, along with the prestige of an Aamir Khan production and a release date timed for Independence Day weekend on August 14, the film has positioned itself well to make that happen.
Whether the numbers add up the way the makers are hoping will become clear once the film hits theatres.