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India Today
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Why the Punjabi film industry says ‘no more' to Pakistani collaborations
The laughter that once bridged borders has now curdled into outrage. Just days after the Pahalgam terror attack and India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor, Pakistani actor Iftikhar Thakur—best known in India for his comic roles in the Chal Mera Putt franchise—made a casually venomous remark about India on a Pakistani TV show. It wasn't satire. It wasn't clever. It was incendiary. And it sparked an unusually swift and unified response from the Punjabi film industry—a historic and resolute 'enough'.For an industry often accused of fence-sitting during moments of national crisis, this moment signals a decisive shift. Leading production houses like Rhythm Boyz Entertainment and Humble Motion Pictures—once champions of cross-border cultural collaboration—have begun reassessing scripts, recasting actors and reconsidering their overseas distribution strategies, especially in diaspora-rich markets like Canada, the UK and this reckoning goes beyond one actor's inflammatory comments. It reflects a deeper disillusionment with what Indian intelligence circles describe as a long-standing pattern of cultural propaganda directed from across the border—spearheaded by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of its military.'The ISPR doesn't merely issue press notes,' says a senior Indian intelligence official. 'It shapes cultural narratives, funds productions and weaponises entertainment. What may look like harmless comedy or song is often engineered to subtly undermine Indian institutions and reinforce divisive ideologies.' Over the years, ISPR-backed content—television dramas, music videos, films, even stand-up routines—has been quietly advancing strategic messaging. What was once dismissed as an overactive imagination is gaining credence in light of inflammatory comments from Thakur and his co-actor Nasir Chinyoti. The latter, who deleted a provocative Facebook post after a backlash, was reportedly in talks for two Punjabi-language films—both now shelved now, the Punjabi film industry had embraced Pakistani artists in an effort to appeal to the global Punjabi-speaking audience. Films like Chal Mera Putt and Annhi Dea Mazaak Ae capitalised on cultural commonalities—language, humour and shared nostalgia—while sidestepping political minefields. In the recent past, several Punjabi stars had travelled to Pakistan to promote their work and did joint shows across the collaborations, insiders admit, came with quiet constraints: avoiding politically sensitive topics, steering clear of Kashmir, and leaning into neutral, apolitical content. 'We were playing it safe,' says one prominent screenwriter. 'Over time, however, this safety began to feel like self-censorship.'What has added a layer of unease now is how some of these cross-border engagements were benefitting an unofficial, underground pipeline of influence. Though Pakistan imposed a formal ban on Indian films in 2016, Punjabi-language cinema had quietly found a way in—particularly through 'unofficial' screenings in cities like Lahore, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi. Some recent reports reveal how, despite the ban, Indian Punjabi films continued to be screened in theatres across the border to full houses, albeit under the radar. Often booked under neutral category codes to avoid scrutiny, with Pakistani agencies deliberately looking the other way, these screenings gave Punjabi producers access to Pakistan's large Punjabi-speaking market—without any accountability regarding content control or revenue loophole, say Indian security officials, has been fertile ground for ISPR's cultural manipulations. Funding, distribution permissions and backstage facilitation for these unofficial screenings allegedly came with strings attached—ranging from content sanitisation to subtle ideological alignments. Indian intelligence agencies have reportedly flagged this quiet infiltration in a 2024 Ministry of Home Affairs dossier, which also raised concerns about unregulated OTT channels and diaspora-linked production houses amplifying separatist collaborators—particularly those based in Toronto and Vancouver, where cultural production often intersects with diaspora activism—are also rethinking casting decisions involving Pakistani nationals. A recent wave of intelligence briefings and growing security concerns have cast a long shadow over Pakistani artists who have steered clear of political controversy are feeling the impact. Imran Ashraf, who was to star opposite Jassie Gill in Ehna Nu Rehna Sehna Nai Aunda, finds himself sidelined. Hania Amir, once considered for a lead role in Sardaar Ji 3 alongside Diljit Dosanjh, may see her Bollywood aspirations hard stop comes at a time when Punjabi cinema is enjoying a creative and commercial upswing. Big-budget releases like Mastaney and Carry on Jatta 3 have delivered box-office success, critical praise and international acclaim. But the shadow of political contamination now looms large, forcing producers to weigh the benefits of mass appeal against the risks of compromised cultural this moment of rupture may spark artistic renewal. With fewer self-imposed restrictions, filmmakers now have the freedom to explore weightier themes—identity, justice, conflict—without tiptoeing around diplomatic sensitivities. 'Maybe it's time we stopped outsourcing punchlines and started owning our voice,' one director Punjab's cultural leaders chart a new course, a quiet but firm consensus is emerging: art should build bridges, not carry bullets; humour should unite, not humiliate. And if that means parting ways with once-familiar collaborators across the border, then so be to India Today Magazine
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Pakistan actor Akram Udas urges peace amid Indo-Pak cultural row, slams Iftikhar Thakur's remarks without naming him
Pakistani actor Akram Udas — best known for his role as 'Boota' in the Punjabi film Chal Mera Putt and its three sequels — has directly addressed the ongoing controversy sparked by fellow Pakistani actor Iftikhar Thakur amid heightened India-Pakistan border tensions. In a video released on Thursday titled 'Please stop this controversy, Punjab??', Udas appealed for calm and urged Punjabi artists from both sides of the border to act with restraint. The controversy began on May 2, following provocative statements made by Iftikhar Thakur in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. In a televised Pakistani talk show, Thakur issued an aggressive warning to India, saying: 'If you come through the air, you'll be blown away in the wind. If you come through the sea, you'll be drowned in water. If you come by land, you'll be buried.' The remarks drew sharp criticism from Indian Punjabi actors and filmmakers, who denounced Thakur's comments as inflammatory and called for a boycott of Pakistani actors. Since then, several Indian Punjabi cinema stakeholders — including actors, directors, and producers — have voiced concerns, triggering a backlash against cross-border collaborations that were once celebrated. Unlike Bollywood, Pakistani actors such as Thakur, Akram Udas, Nasir Chinyoti, and many others have been regularly cast in Indian Punjabi films, with all scenes of the Pak actors shot outside India and Pakistan. In his video statement, Akram Udas—seen with a portrait of Pakistan's founding father Mohammad Ali Jinnah in the background—expressed disappointment over how the issue had escalated. 'The war between the two nations is over, but now a war has begun between Punjabi brothers on both sides of the border,' he said, adding that some individuals with no connection to cinema were also issuing provocative statements. Without taking names, Udas countered claims from both sides of the border, 'If I say I'm giving you food, it's a false statement. If I say I've signed 15 of your films by taking advance money, that too is false,' he said, indirectly addressing Thakur's claims of having signed multiple Indian Punjabi films with over ₹300 crore invested in him. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, at a public function last month, had noted that several Pakistani actors found opportunities in Indian television and cinema due to their limited prospects at home. He mentioned working with many of them during his stint on the Indian reality show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. Udas also took a veiled dig at Thakur's assertion that Indian Punjabi cinema cannot succeed without Pakistani actors. 'If I say Punjabi movies in India don't work without 'us,' even that is false. He could have said 'me' instead of 'us.' Did he consult the others before making that statement?' Udas asked pointedly. He continued, 'If I say all films without Pakistani actors are flops, that too is wrong. One should think about the producers who have invested so much money in upcoming projects and the many artists who've worked together in the past.' Appealing to audiences and artists, Udas said, 'Fans are on both sides. They love us and believe every word we say. My words should not hurt anyone's business, sentiments, or create cracks between communities. I urge everyone giving statements to think before speaking. Work comes to everyone as per Allah's will. We should speak in a manner that allows us to face each other with dignity. If I have hurt anyone's sentiments, I apologise.' Udas has become the first Pakistani actor to publicly criticise Thakur, who had sparked the row. Though Udas never explicitly named Thakur, the context and tone of the video point toward a rebuttal of Thakur's controversial statements. Thakur's most recent remarks have further intensified the controversy. In a viral video from last week, he claimed: 'We're the reason these films work.' He suggested that Indian Punjabi films owe their success to Pakistani actors, especially referencing the Chal Mera Putt franchise, which featured himself, Akram Udas, Nasir Chinyoti, and Indian stars such as Amrinder Gill and Simi Chahal. The fifth sequel of the film is scheduled for release in August. Thakur also asserted: 'They have no right to boycott us… It is we who should boycott them. I've already signed 16 of their films, and they've invested over ₹300 crore on me. They made nine films without casting us, and all nine were flops.' Indian Punjabi filmmaker and writer Rakesh Dhawan, who penned Chal Mera Putt, responded sharply. 'Thakur, you can't run your own household— how do you expect to run Punjabi cinema?' he remarked. 'Only the films you did with me became hits. The rest were all flops. Chal Mera Putt gave you a global identity.' He added that though one film starring Thakur has already been shot and must be released due to the producer's financial commitment, he would have preferred to sever ties. 'Had it been in my control, I'd have sent him back,' Dhawan added. Prominent Indian Punjabi actors also condemned Thakur. Binnu Dhillon called him 'an enemy,' vowing never to work with him again. Gurpreet Ghuggi said, 'Artists are supposed to build bridges, not walls. I don't think anyone in the Punjabi film industry will ever work with Pakistani actors now. He's shut the doors not just for himself, but for others too.' On May 12, in an apparent attempt to backtrack, Thakur issued a clarification claiming his comments were directed at the Indian government in the context of water disputes. However, he stirred more outrage by saying, 'Eastern Punjab (in India) is like my elder brother. We are one Punjab. I never consider Eastern Punjab as part of India.' These remarks further angered Indian Punjabi artists, who rebuked Thakur for undermining India's territorial sovereignty. 'Punjab is a jewel of India, and we are proud of it,' said Gurbhajan Gill, a Punjabi poet. Meanwhile, the row has opened up a deeper conversation about cross-border cultural exchanges and the fragility of artistic collaborations amid rising political tensions. While Indian reactions have largely remained measured, Akram Udas's balanced and peace-oriented statement has emerged as a rare voice of sanity from across the border. Concluding his message, Udas urged all stakeholders to 'move forward with understanding, not controversy.'
