At the grand press conference held at Le Meridien, New Delhi, the team of Akaal – The Unconquered came together to share insights, emotions, and their dreams behind this ambitious project. Present were Karan Johar, Gippy Grewal, Gurpreet Ghuggi, Nimrat Khaira, and the rest of the stellar cast, all echoing the same sentiment—this is not just a film, it’s a movement.
Karan Johar opened the conversation with heartfelt nostalgia. “There was a time when some of the biggest names in Bollywood—actors, producers, filmmakers—were all Punjabis,” he said, recalling his deep-rooted connection to Punjab. “My father was Punjabi, and even though I grew up in Mumbai, Punjabi culture was always at the heart of our home.”
When asked about why he chose Akaal as Dharma Productions’ first major Punjabi film, Karan candidly shared, “For me, instinct is everything. Any creative person will tell you—it’s that gut feeling that drives decisions. The first time I saw the trailer, I knew instantly: if I’m doing this film, I’m doing it with Gippy. His aura, his conviction—it was all there. This isn’t just a one-time collaboration; this is just the beginning. There’s a lot more we’re going to do together.”
Echoing that sentiment, Gippy Grewal added, “This film is our dream. It’s made straight from the heart. Akaal isn’t just a film—it’s an emotion. These are stories that haven’t been told, stories that deserve to be seen. It’s a tribute to Sikh warriors, their spirit, their timeless bravery.” He added that the word “Akaal” itself means ‘the one who cannot be defeated’—a fitting title for a film that’s meant to inspire.
When asked about whether he sees this as a Baahubali-style strategy, given Dharma’s earlier partnership with Rajamouli, Karan shared, “I’ve always been a huge fan of Rajamouli. I’ve watched all his films. What inspired me was his passion—he gives it everything he’s got, without worrying whether it’ll be a hit or not. That same fire, that same level of commitment—I saw that in Gippy bhaji. And that’s all I needed to say yes.”
Gurpreet Ghuggi, taking on a refreshing new role in Akaal, shared his excitement: “Main comedy kar-kar ke thak gaya si,” he laughed. “This role allowed me to explore something new, something deeper. I truly feel I’m living the best phase of my career right now. It’s a moment of real joy and pride for any artist. Skill matters the most—and when skill meets scale, magic happens. Bollywood is made up of Punjabis—almost 90%. And now, with this film, we’re taking Punjabi cinema to another level.”
When asked about the significance of Dharma Productions backing a Punjabi film, Ghuggi didn’t hold back, saying, “Yeh collaboration zameen aasman ko ek kar raha hai. It’s huge. Dharma ka Punjabi cinema ke saath aana ek naya daur shuru kar raha hai.”
Nimrat Khaira, who plays a key role in the film, was all praise for her co-stars and the experience. “I met Karan sir for the first time during the trailer launch, and despite being who he is, the kind of respect and warmth he gave us—it meant a lot,” she said. “Thanks to this film, I got the chance to explore different shades of myself as an actor.”
The press conference wasn’t just a promotional event—it was a celebration of vision, culture, and collaboration. With the film releasing on April 10, 2025, during the Baisakhi festivities, Akaal – The Unconquered promises to be a cinematic tribute that will resonate with audiences far beyond the Punjabi-speaking belt. It’s a story of courage, identity, and the timeless strength of warriors who chose sacrifice over silence.
As the event drew to a close, Karan Johar left the audience with a thought that beautifully tied it all together:
“We are one cinema. We are Indian cinema. I look at cinema as a student of it—not through the lens of region, but through the lens of emotion. Yes, there are languages and cultures, but the feeling at the heart of it is always Bharatiya cinema.”
That one statement summed up the spirit of Akaal—a film rooted in Punjab, but with the power to speak to every Indian heart.
