09 June,2026 12:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pic via X
The box office is set for an interesting showdown as Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta's Batwara 1947 has officially locked its release date. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, the period drama will hit theatres on August 14, 2026, setting up a clash with Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani's Awarapan 2, which arrives on the same day.
The clash has caught the attention of film fans not only because of the star power involved, but also because it marks a reunion of a box-office battle that first took place nearly two decades ago.
Back in 2007, Sunny Deol's action drama Big Brother and Emraan Hashmi's cult romantic thriller Awarapan released on the same day. While neither film emerged as a major box-office success at the time, Awarapan has since earned a loyal fan following and is now considered one of Emraan's most loved films.
Nineteen years later, the actors are once again set to compete for audience attention during a major holiday window. This time, however, the stakes are significantly higher, with both projects generating considerable buzz ahead of release.
Batwara 1947, previously titled Lahore 1947, marks the reunion of Sunny Deol and director Rajkumar Santoshi. The film also stars Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal and Karan Deol, and is backed by Aamir Khan Productions.
On the other side is Awarapan 2, which sees Emraan Hashmi return as Shivam, the character that became a fan favourite following the 2007 film. Directed by Nitin Kakkar, the sequel also stars Disha Patani and is expected to build on the original's legacy.
With both films targeting the Independence Day weekend, trade experts will be closely watching how audiences respond. While Batwara 1947 is expected to draw viewers with its Partition-era backdrop and ensemble cast, Awarapan 2 is banking on nostalgia and the return of one of Emraan's most iconic roles.
As things stand, August 2026 is shaping up to be one of Bollywood's biggest box-office clashes, with Sunny Deol and Emraan Hashmi set to renew a rivalry that began nearly two decades ago.
