“Amrish Puri is Irreplaceable: Filmmaker Anil Sharma on Gadar-2”

As the excitement builds around the much-awaited Gadar-2, filmmaker Anil Sharma shared insights into the casting process, particularly the challenge of finding a worthy successor to the late Amrish Puri, who portrayed the iconic antagonist in Gadar-1.

During an interview on the sidelines of the Gadar-2 trailer launch in Mumbai, Sharma addressed the difficulty of replacing a legendary actor like Amrish Puri, who has left an indelible mark on the hearts of the audience with his unparalleled performances. “Finding a replacement for Amrish Puri Saab is impossible. I miss him a lot. Had he been alive, he would certainly be a part of this movie,” stated Anil Sharma.

The role of the main antagonist in Gadar-1, portrayed by Amrish Puri, holds a special place in the hearts of fans and has garnered a cult following over the years. Sharma expressed his admiration for the late actor’s contribution to the film industry, making it clear that attempting to fill his shoes in the sequel was an immense challenge.

The search for a suitable actor to carry the legacy of the iconic character led the team to explore various avenues, from Bollywood to the southern film industry, and even international prospects. Sharma shared the nation’s curiosity and revealed that two questions were consistently asked: the identity of the new villain and the nature of the film’s music compared to Gadar-1.

The director explained, “The prep was done, the movie started rolling, and we were still trying to find our villain. Trust me, I tried everywhere—down south, Bollywood, and beyond. We conducted numerous screen-tests, but to no avail. We were concerned until someone showed me a video of Manish Wadhwa. After a screen-test and several meetings, we finally took a sigh of relief.”

Manish Wadhwa, the actor who impressed the team with his skills and dedication, was chosen to play the pivotal role in Gadar-2. While recognizing that Amrish Puri’s presence cannot be replaced, the team found solace in having a talented actor like Wadhwa on board.

Gadar-2, a sequel to the iconic film, stars Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, Utkarsh Sharma, Manish Wadhwa, Simrat Kaur, Luv Sinha, and more. Written by Shakitmaan Talwar, the film is set against the backdrop of the 1971 Crush India Movement and follows Sunny Deol’s character, Tara, as he embarks on a mission to bring his son Jeete (Utkarsh Sharma) back from Lahore.

With the release date set for 11th August 2023, fans eagerly await the return of the iconic characters and the gripping narrative that is bound to captivate the audience once again.