Bollywood’s Sara Ali Khan, an actress known for her vibrant and often whimsical public persona, is drawing attention with her latest film venture, ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan.’ In a candid interaction, the star discusses her foray into a new genre with this upcoming period drama. As she engages in promotional activities, Sara acknowledges the fresh challenges she faces, stepping away from her familiar roles that endear her to her audience as the ‘namaste darshakon’ girl, noted for her playful ‘knock knock’ jokes, enviable abs, and forthright attitude.
During an intimate conversation with News18, Sara Ali Khan opened up about the transition she is undergoing for her role in ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan.’ Known for her ability to light up the screen with her bubbly charm, she admits that the skills and traits that have garnered her popularity will not suffice in this new setting. “As an actor, this is a genre I’ve never done. So now, I don’t have the crutch of being the ‘namaste darshakon’ girl, the ‘knock knock’ joke girl, the girl with the abs or the bubbly and bindass girl who will just speak her mind. My sasti juttis isn’t going to help here,” Sara expressed, referencing her previous screen portrayals that allowed her a certain comfort and relatability.
The complexity of the character she essays in ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’ compelled Sara to summon a distinct facet of her inner strength—drawing on a profound level of self-confidence, self-belief, and an almost spiritual positivity. These qualities, she reveals, do indeed form a part of her personal identity, albeit one that is not frequently displayed.
Sara’s enthusiasm for her part in this film, which takes inspiration from pivotal true events during the Quit India Movement, is palpable. She articulates a robust sense of pride, a sentiment that she holds strongly as a narrative contributor to an episode of historical importance. Addressing this, the actress asserts, “As a human being, I’m proud to be able to tell a story of an integral part of the Quit India Movement. It’s about whatever little I can do. In this day and age, people are reluctant to do absolutely anything because they feel like, ‘Arrey, hum kya hi kar lenge!’ But kuch toh kar lo. Boond boond se banta hai sagar. That’s the whole point”—indicating her belief that small actions can collectively lead to significant results.
Produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra for Dharmatic Entertainment, and with the direction of Kannan Iyer, ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’ stands out as an Amazon Original Movie. The script, co-written by Iyer and Darab Farooqui, promises to offer the audience a deeply resonant experience. In addition to Sara’s pivotal role, the film also engages the talents of Sachin Khedekar, Abhay Verma, Sparsh Shrivastav, Alexx O’Neil, and Anand Tiwari in integral parts, ensuring a strong ensemble cast.
Set against a backdrop steeped in history and patriotism, ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’ is slated to premiere globally on Prime Video. The film’s reach is broad, with accessibility across over 240 countries and territories and anticipated translations into several Indian languages—Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. The digital release is being eagerly awaited by fans and cinephiles alike, keen to witness Sara Ali Khan’s transformative performance and to be swept away by the compelling narrative of valour and spirit reflective of India’s fight for independence. The digital curtains are set to rise on this much-anticipated showcase on March 21, as Sara Ali Khan steps into a role that promises to redefine her versatility and artistic depth.
