Ae Watan Mere Watan first look: Sara Ali Khan is a freedom fighter in disguise during the 1942 Quit India movement

Prime Video unveiled the first look of the upcoming Amazon Original film Ae Watan Mere Watan, an uplifting ode to the fearless heroes of India's struggle for independence, in advance of the country's 74th Republic Day celebrations. The film is a Dharmatic Entertainment production, with Somen Mishra serving as a co-producer alongside Karan Johar and Apoorva Mehta. Sara Ali Khan will portray a courageous freedom warrior in the thriller-drama directed by Kannan Iyer and written by Darab Farooqui and him. The movie is based on actual events.

The first-look video that was just released takes us back in time to a time when a young girl is anxiously and intently putting together radio-like equipment in a dimly lit room. The camera slowly reveals that the young girl is Sara, but in a less glamorous way than we've seen her before. Her voice is filled with bravery and resolves as she starts speaking on the radio. She broadcasts the message of freedom to the entire country via her clandestine radio station before being cut off by the persistent knock on the door.

Ae Watan Mere Watan, a thriller-drama based on actual events, chronicles the daring journey of a Bombay college student who later turns into a liberation warrior. This fictitious story takes place in 1942, during the Quit India Movement. It is a tale about the bravery, patriotism, selflessness, and inventiveness of the nation's youth.

"The film is an effort to bring to audiences a lesser-known chapter of Indian history about the independence struggle," Karan said in a statement. He added "With the incredibly talented Sara Ali Khan taking on a never-seen-before character, and with Kannan Iyer’s vision, this movie promises to be truly inspiring and an entertaining experience."     

"Directing this story inspired by true events from the very precarious times of India’s freedom struggle is a feeling of tremendous pride for me, and I am thankful to Prime Video and Dharmatic Entertainment for this opportunity," added director Kannan Iyer.

Sara shared, "I am so excited and honoured that Prime Video and Dharmatic Entertainment have given me the opportunity to be a part of a film that I truly believe deserves to be told. As an actor and, more importantly, as an Indian, I am proud to be able to portray a character that echoes bravery, strength, and courage. Working with Kannan Iyer sir is a sheer privilege as he is so passionate and emotionally invested in this story himself. And while, of course, it is very challenging to play a character that is vastly different from anything that I’ve done before, it is a project that I’m going to work really hard on. And most importantly, I’m going to cherish every day that I get to play an enigmatic freedom fighter."