Sunny Deol Ignites Social Media Storm Recalling Dharmendra’s ‘Pakistan Meri Mausi Hai’ Remark Ahead of ‘Batwara 1947’ Release (Watch Video)
Sunny Deol faces backlash after recalling his late father Dharmendra's 'Pakistan meri mausi hai' comment during 'Batwara 1947' promotions. The film, a Partition drama starring Deol, Preity Zinta, and Shabana Azmi, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Aamir Khan, is set for an August 14, 2026 release.
Bollywood veteran Sunny Deol has stirred a significant online debate, drawing both criticism and support, after publicly recounting his late father Dharmendra's unique perspective on India-Pakistan relations. The remarks were made during recent promotional activities for his highly anticipated Partition-era film, Batwara 1947, sparking immediate reactions across social media platforms. ‘Batwara 1947’ Trailer: Netizens Laud Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi, and Preity Zinta’s Emotional Performances, Call It a ‘Masterpiece’ (Watch Video).
What Did Sunny Deol Share About Dharmendra's Perspective of Pakistan?
During a promotional event for Batwara 1947 in Patna on Sunday, August 2, 2026, Sunny Deol was quizzed about his views on Pakistan, given the sensitive subject of his upcoming film. Eschewing a direct political answer, Deol clarified that the film was shot entirely in India, not across the border. He then chose to reflect on the shared history of the two nations before Partition by recalling a poignant statement made by his father, the legendary Dharmendra.
"Hum feel ki baatein nahi karte because pura mulk ek hi tha. Jaise papa ne kaha ki yeh (India) meri maa hai aur woh (Pakistan) meri mausi hai – yeh toh aap log sab achi tarah se jante hain. Hum sab ek tarah se hain toh jude hue kahin na kahin se," Deol stated. (We don't talk in terms of 'feelings' because the entire country was one. Just as my father said, 'This is my mother and that is my maternal aunt'—you all know this very well. In a way, we are all connected to one another.) Deol emphasised that his role as an actor is to tell stories, not engage in political discourse.
Sunny Deol Recalls What Dharmendra Said About Pakistan
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Backlash for Sunny Deol
Deol's comments quickly resonated online, triggering a mixed bag of reactions. Many social media users criticized the analogy, particularly given the often-strained relationship between India and Pakistan and Deol's established on-screen persona as a patriotic hero, notably from films like 'Gadar'. Critics argued that the "maternal aunt" analogy might downplay the complexities and historical grievances between the nations.
Conversely, a segment of fans rallied in support of Deol, defending his statement as a mere recollection of his late father's personal sentiments and an attempt to highlight the historical connection rather than endorse a political stance. Some argued that his remarks were taken out of context, intended to promote dialogue ahead of a film that delves into the human impact of the 1947 Partition.
Netizens Furious Over Sunny Deol's Comments During ‘Batwara 1947’ Promotions
More About ‘Batwara 1947’
'Batwara 1947', initially titled 'Lahore 1947', is a highly anticipated historical drama directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Aamir Khan under Aamir Khan Productions. The film is slated for a theatrical release on August 14, 2026, coinciding with the eve of India's Independence Day. ‘Aamir Khan Jaisa Game…’: Samay Raina Trolls Munawar Faruqui Over His Second Marriage on ‘India’s Got Latent S2’ (Watch Video).
Based on the acclaimed play Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya, O Jamya E Nai by Asghar Wajahat, the narrative centers on a Muslim family migrating from Lucknow to Lahore post-Partition. They are allotted a grand house, only to discover its elderly Hindu owner still resides there, refusing to leave. Sunny Deol's character and his family stand by her, embodying a story of humanity and resilience amidst the chaos of division. The film boasts an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi, Karan Deol, Ali Fazal, and Abhimanyu Singh. The music for this period drama has been composed by A.R. Rahman, with lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 04, 2026 05:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
