Gadar director recalls film being called 'Gutter', says Sholay faced same criticism

Anil Sharma's directorial Gadar 2 is all set to hit the big screens on the Independence Day weekend -- August 11. The movie is the spiritual sequel to the 2001 movie Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. In the new film, Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel will reprise their roles as Tara Singh and Sakeena. 

3 things you need to know 

• Anil Sharma helmed the first movie Gadar: Ek Prem Katha as well. 
• Gadar 2 will release in theatres alongside OMG 2. 
• The original movie was also released in a clash with Lagaan. 

Anil Sharma shares Gadar faced same criticism as Sholay and Mughal-E-Azam 

In an interview with Lehren Retro, Gadar 2 director recalled how Gadar was received when it was first released. He recalled, “At that time even though Gadar became a big hit, there were many who did not respect the film. It’s okay. The same thing happened to Mughal-E-Azam, the same thing happened to Sholay.” 

(The first Gadar was released in 2001 | Image: Twitter)

He also pointed out how, even though the films were underestimated, they left a deep impact on the audience. He went on to say that the films he mentioned did not win awards but they were “good company” and the “public loved and respected the film.” 

Anil Sharma recalls Gadar being called ‘gutter’ 

In the same interview, the director also remembered the kind of reviews Gadar: Ek Prem Katha received upon release. He reiterated that the reviewers called the film “gutter”. The director commented, “The first review I saw for the film called ‘Gutter Ek Prem Katha’. A reviewer for a major English-language newspaper said that reviewing it was beneath them. I still haven’t understood why people were so harsh.”

(Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel reprise their roles in Gadar 2 | Image: Twitter)

Gadar: Ek Prem Katha was released alongside Lagaan. Despite facing critical competition, the movie emerged as a box office superhit. The movie dealt with the matters of Indo-Pakistan relations.