‘Partition 1947’ is based on the true story of the final months of British rule in India.It is a story that is deeply personal to director Gurinder, whose own family was caught up in the tragic events that unfolded as the ‘British Raj’ came to an end.
After releasing the first poster, the trailer was also launched yesterday. During the trailer launch of the film, Huma was asked about her experience with the late actor, to which she said: “I think my best scenes in the film are with Om Puri. He played my father in the film and I would like to thank Gurinder for giving me such a lovely on-screen father. From the first meeting, he was such a wonderful person to be with.”
“Last year around this time, he met my parents and we were so happy to have him. It is a great loss that he passed away,” she said.
The film’s director, Gurinder Chadha also spoke about Om Puri. According to him, Om was very happy to be a part of the film as he is a Punjabi and there was a Punjabi connection as well.
“He was very happy to know that I have taken such a subject for the film. In the film, though he played an old blind man, whenever the music starts we would get up and dance as he was full of life,” Gurinder said.
Though the film’s story revolves around the India-Pakistan partition, according to Huma, the core story is very emotional and humane.
“What I loved about the film is, it is a human story… it is heartbreaking for anyone to leave their own country for a political reason. We screened the film in Australia and people loved it there because it is an emotional story,” said Gurinder.
The British cast is led by Hugh Bonneville as Lord Mountbatten; Gillian Anderson as his wife, Lady Mountbatten; Lily Travers as their daughter, Pamela; and Michael Gambon and Simon Callow as key civil servants. The Indian and Pakistani cast is led by Manish Dayal, Huma Qureshi, and late Om Puri.
‘Partition 1947’ will release on 18th August in theaters. The film’s release coincides with the 70th Anniversary of the Independence of India and the founding of Pakistan.