Director Anil Sharma drops a bombshell confession on why his star-studded Gadar follow-up flopped at the box office.
Anil Sharma, the famous director behind the mega-hit movie Gadar: Ek Prem Katha starring Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel, recently shared a surprising secret with Shubhankar Mishra about why his star-studded film Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo failed at the box office.
He explained that if the story were pitched in one line, “The Amarnath Yatra is happening in India, Pakistan opposes it, and the Indian Army ensures it goes smoothly,” the audiences would instantly call it a super‑hit. Yet despite a massive star cast, the film failed to connect with them.
Sharma admitted that the reason was the changing mood of the times. In an attempt to adapt, he crafted a climax where the Pakistan Army joins hands with India to protect the Yatra and save pilgrims from terrorists.
That creative choice, however, backfired. “The Indian public doesn’t think like that, and it isn’t the reality either. Why would the Pakistan Army ever help?” he said, acknowledging that the audiences rejected the idea.
When asked if he had become “too secular,” Sharma agreed, saying his mindset had shifted. He wanted to show unity, to prove he wasn’t just making jingoistic films, and to highlight coexistence. “Deep down, I want Hindus and Muslims to stay together, and for everyone to co‑exist. Gadar’s message was about love blooming amid hate. I tried to do something similar by bringing both sides together. But instead, my own cinematic journey stopped,” he admitted in the interview.
According to Box Office India, Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo was made on a budget of Rs. 20 crore. In its first week, the film earned about Rs. 7.19 crore. But by the end of its run, it collected only around Rs. 19.16 crore worldwide, which was less than what it cost to make.
Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo follows three generations of dedicated military men who set out to defend the sacred Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage from a brutal terrorist plot while balancing heavy family sacrifices. The film features Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Divya Khosla Kumar, Sandali Sinha, and Nagma.
