Celebrating the silver jubilee of the critically acclaimed film ‘Sarfarosh’, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan candidly discussed the uncertainties faced by the film’s team during its release. Released against the backdrop of the Kargil conflict on April 30, 1999, ‘Sarfarosh’ tackled the sensitive subject of cross-border terrorism, casting a spotlight on relations between India and Pakistan—a theme that was potentially contentious for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) at the time.
During a special anniversary screening event on Friday night, Khan expressed the dilemmas the team grappled with, owing to the film’s explicit mentions of Pakistan and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). “In those days, there was a rule that you cannot name the country. We would say ‘neighbouring country’ or ‘friendly country’. So we were taking a risk, and (we didn’t know) whether the Censor board would pass the film or not because we had taken the name of Pakistan and the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence). It had never happened before. There was some back and forth happening but our point was that if (LK) Advani ji can say (the name) in the parliament, then why can’t we say it in cinema halls. Fortunately, the film passed with no changes,” Khan recounted prior to the film’s screening.
‘Sarfarosh’ follows the story of a determined police officer Ajay Singh Rathod, portrayed by Khan, who forges a friendship with a renowned Pakistani ghazal singer Gulfam Hassan, played by Naseeruddin Shah. Rathod’s life is thrown into a whirlwind as he unravels a massive arms smuggling conspiracy in Rajasthan. The film struck a chord with audiences for its gripping plot and was both, a commercial triumph and a recipient of critical praise, winning the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Shah marked the occasion by remembering the admiration he received for his character, particularly from Pakistan, where he noted, “This film was liked more in Pakistan. I haven’t been there in the last few years but whenever I went there, people always talked about ‘Sarfarosh’. They liked my work, even though I thought they would beat me up (mujhe laga joote maarenge).”
Shah, known for his discerning selection of scripts, shared his instant connection with the film’s script. The pulling power was the complex portrayal of his character, a masterful blend of sophistication and underlying menace, as evidenced by the controversial scene wherein his character inflicts harm on a goat—a segment that also stirred censorship debates. “I had no problem doing that but the censor had a problem. They were like, ‘do action but don’t show it.’ I don’t understand this hypocrisy. So they actually cut out the shot where I bit the goat. It was a fake one [though]. They said keep it out of frame. It was still very effective in terms of story because as a person we think he is refined, aesthetic, but he can do a thing like this. It was a monstrous touch,” added Shah.
Director John Matthew Matthan unveiled his strategy of safeguarding the sensitive Indo-Pakistan terrorism narrative of the film, trusting only Khan and Shah with the key details. Actress Sonali Bendre, who essayed the role of Khan’s love interest in the film, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to portray a character with substance. “I was getting glamorous roles and it was all about body and looks… So, for me to get this role was exciting. It was so me, the realness of it (I liked it),” Bendre reflected.
Mukesh Rishi, who personified Inspector Saleem Ahmed, attributed his part in ‘Sarfarosh’ to Khan’s initiative, sharing a moment during the filming of the 1995 film ‘Baazi’ when Khan first narrated the story to him. Enthusiastically accepting the role, Rishi embraced this as a transformative point in his career.
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