'Veer' is not jingoistic nor was 'Gadar': Anil Sharma

Sharma agrees that films like 'The Hero' (2003) and 'Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo' (2004) were patriotic stories. "But, terming them as jingoistic is taking things a little too far," Sharma told PTI in an interview.

The filmmaker, who last directed Dharmendra and Sunny Deol in 'Apne' in 2007, does not understand why 'Gadar' continues to be held in negative light despite its huge success at the box office.

"I am perplexed that 'Gadar', in spite of being one of the biggest blockbusters in the history of Indian cinema, has seen continued panning by media for being jingoistic. I am sure audiences didn't feel the same because otherwise it wouldn't have been considered as one of the 3-4 major films that have come out from India in last 50 odd years," said Sharma.

The film, a story between a Sikh and a Muslim set during the partition of India, was singled out for negative sentiments that it allegedly invoked against Muslims and Pakistan. In fact, this was cited as one of the major reasons for the film's blockbuster run.
'Veer', which released today, is also an love story set in the era of 1890s but Sharma said he not painted anyone in negative light.

"I never thought about this entire 'let's paint them as positive or negative' business, whether it comes to Hindus, Muslims or British. 'Veer' is an epic love story of a warrior set in pre-independence era and one should see the film for that more than anything else," said Sharma.

The film, whose idea was first conceived by Salman Khan 20 years ago, is about a Pindari soldier, who is torn between love and duty.
"Relationship, love and togetherness is what binds 'Veer' together. It is a family story where a father and a son come together, two brothers come together and a man and a woman fall in love with each other," said Sharma.

"There is action as well because it is required to support the screenplay which is drafted on the thread of a love story. However, it would be wrong to call 'Veer' as an action movie, just like it was in case of 'Apne'."
Even though 'Gadar' stays on to be his biggest money spinner ever and 'Veer' too boasts of an epic look and feel to it, Anil Sharma denies that working on this Salman Khan starrer was akin to getting into a 'comfort zone'.

"I started off my career with such beautiful and sensitive films like 'Shradhanjali' (1981) and 'Bandhan Kachchey Dhagon Ka' (1983). I agree that there is a certain image of my own that has stuck to me, courtesy films like 'Hukumat' (1987), 'Elaan E Jung' (1989) and 'Tahakla' (1992) which released over the years.
"But, you never know, I may end up doing something entirely different for my next film after 'Veer'," he said.