Punjab Newsline | Patna
Actor Sunny Deol has landed in controversy ahead of the release of his upcoming film Batwara 1947 after a remark referring to Pakistan as “like my aunt” triggered criticism on social media.
During a promotional event in Patna, Sunny Deol was asked how he viewed Pakistan as a country and its environment, especially since the film is reportedly connected to the backdrop of Partition and had been perceived by some as being shot in Pakistan.
Responding to the question, the actor clarified that the film was not shot in Pakistan and that the entire shooting took place in India.
He further said that he did not believe in creating divisions between people, adding that “the whole country was once one.” Referring to an old statement made by his father, veteran actor Dharmendra, Sunny said:
“As my father once said, my mother is India and Pakistan is like my aunt. We are all connected in some way.”
The comment quickly went viral on social media, where several users criticised the actor for the comparison. While some defended his statement as a message of shared history and cultural connection, others accused him of making an insensitive remark given the current India-Pakistan relationship.
The controversy has emerged just days before the release of Batwara 1947, a film based on the events surrounding the Partition of India in 1947.
