Latest news with #IftikharThakur
Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Pakistani actor Iftikhar Thakur's attempt to ‘clarify' anti-India remark backfires: ‘No dearth of talent in Punjab'
Days after facing backlash from the Punjabi film industry over his anti-India comments, Pakistani actor Iftikhar Thakur has landed in yet another controversy after an attempt to clarify his previous statement led to further outrage and calls to boycott him. Music director and singer Ravinder Singh Ranguwal said, 'With such repeated statements, I don't think he can ever make a comeback in the Punjabi film industry. It's time to stop acknowledging him. His every clarification is more inflammatory than the last. Who is he to speak about India and Punjab like this? We are proud Indians.' Speaking on a podcast, Thakur said, 'I want to clear one confusion — I don't consider Charda Punjab (Punjab in India) as part of India. Eastern Punjab is like my elder brother. That is one Punjab, this is another, but it is all one Punjab. A big brother is a fatherly figure,' he said. 'I heard many of them from Charda Punjab even abused me, but I accept all that from a big brother wholeheartedly,' he added, and referred to a saying about how a father's scolding and ghee splashes are both intense but ultimately not hurtful. Thakur said his previous statement was aimed at the Indian government, particularly over threats of cutting off Pakistan's water supply. 'The war is still on,' he said, adding that Muslims are the flag-bearers of humanity. The clip began circulating widely on social media on Sunday. Noted literary figure and former president of the Punjabi Sahitya Academy, Gurbhajan Gill, said, 'Who is he to talk about Charda Punjab like this? Punjab is very much a part of India and a matter of national pride — just as Lehnda Punjab (Western Punjab) is for Pakistan. Artists should remain neutral. For them, the sky is the limit.' Following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, Thakur— who is known for his roles in Punjabi films like Chal Mera Putt—sparked outrage on May 2 after he appeared on Pakistani TV show and made a remark directed at India: 'If you come through air, you'll be bombed in the air. If you come by sea, you'll be drowned in the water. If you come through the ground, you will be buried under it.' This was swiftly condemned in India, particularly by members of the Punjabi film industry. Prominent actors like Binnu Dhillon and Gurpreet Ghuggi criticized Thakur, emphasising that artists should be messengers of peace, not war. Ghuggi remarked, 'I don't think any producer or director will ever cast him now. He has closed doors not just for himself but for many Pakistani actors.' Reacting after Thakur's latest statement, veteran folk singer and former MP Mohammad Sadik said, 'It's fine to stand with your country, but no one has the right to make inflammatory remarks against ours. Just like he supports his country, we are with ours—and proud of our forces.' 'He may have worked in Punjabi films and earned his livelihood from them, but artists must realise they have fans on both sides of the border. Their words reflect their character. Let him speak — it only exposes his poor mindset. The Punjabi film industry must now decide whether such artists deserve a place anymore. There's no dearth of talent in Punjab,' Sadik said. He added, 'The wars are of the two countries…governments play role in that…it is not a war of the public or artists. Many acclaimed Pakistani artists like Ghulam Ali Khan,Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan have earned so much respect in India and will continue to get that…as they were focused on their work and not any controversy.' Pakistani actors, including Nasir Chinyoti, Naseem Vicky, and Zafri Khan, have also been seen in Punjabi films, appearing only in scenes shot outside India. Since the 2019 Pulwama attack, Bollywood has imposed an unofficial ban on Pakistani actors but the Punjabi industry in the country has continued to offer them roles that are mostly shot outside India.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Punjabi film industry slams anti-India remark by Pak actor Iftikhar Thakur: ‘This may shut doors for other performers too'
Reacting sharply to a recent statement against India by Pakistani actor Iftikhar Thakur, who is known for his roles in Punjabi films, various people from the state film industry said they will not collaborate with him again. 'I condemn the recent statement by Iftikhar Thakur. Yes, we have worked together on many projects, but… a person who talks like this against our country should not be entertained at all,' actor Binnu Dhillon recently told reporters. 'The one who is against our country is our enemy too. I guarantee that I will not work with him.' Addressing Indians directly on a Pakistani TV show on May 2, days after the Pahalgam terror attack, Thakur had said: 'Fizaon se aaoge toh hawa mein uda diye jaoge. Samandar ke paniyon se aaoge toh dubo diye jaoge. Zameeni raston se aaoge toh dafna diye jaoge. (If you come through the winds, you will be blown away in the air. If you come through the waters of the ocean, you will be drowned. If you come through the land routes, you will be buried.)' Expressing his disappointment, Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi, another prominent face in Punjabi cinema, told The Indian Express, 'It is a really unfortunate statement. Artists are meant to spread love and unity even when situations are tense. Everyone has the right to support their nation, but literary figures and artists should always make efforts to unite. His statement is highly condemnable.' 'I don't think any director or producer from Indian Punjabi cinema will ever work with him again. He has worked in many Punjabi movies which were appreciated by the masses. So it means that he is also directly targeting his audience based in India… By this one statement, he has closed the doors for many other Pakistani actors who have been working in Punjabi movies,' Ghuggi said. Dhillon said it is unlikely that future collaborations with Iftikhar will be allowed to release in India 'Those who are serious about this issue will definitely not work with him now.' Singer, music director and lyricist Ravinder Singh Ranguwal, who founded the Punjab Cultural Society, said many Pakistani actors earn their living by working in Indian Punjabi cinema. 'Hence, such hateful talk is very unfortunate and highly condemnable. After hearing this, I don't think anyone will cast Thakur in more movies. We have enough talent here,' he stated. Ranguwal is known for directing the music video Punjab De Puttar, featuring Pakistani singer Akram Rahi and Indian singer-songwriter Pammi Bai, as part of efforts to bring together artistic talent from across the border. Iftikhar Thakur played major roles in Punjabi films such as Chal Mera Putt (2019) and its two sequels released in 2020 and 2021. He was also part of movies like Sidhus of Southall, Annhi Dea Mazaak Ae, and Ma Da Laadla, all of which were shot abroad, mainly in the UK. Pakistani actors, including Nasir Chinyoti, Naseem Vicky, and Zafri Khan, have also been seen in Punjabi films, appearing only in scenes shot outside India. Since the 2019 Pulwama attack, Bollywood has imposed an unofficial ban on Pakistani actors but the Punjabi industry in the country has continued to offer them roles that are mostly shot outside India.
