Sunny Deol responds to Pakistan question with Dharmendra's famous remark; faces backlash

Sunny Deol responded to a question about Pakistan by quoting his father, Dharmendra's famous "India is my mother, Pakistan is my mausi" remark during Batwara 1947 promotions. While some appreciated his comments, others criticised the actor on social media, triggering online backlash.

Reported by: PTC Punjabi Desk | Edited by: Ritika Nath | August 04th 2026 05:24 PM | Updated: August 04th 2026 05:24 PM

As promotions for Batwara 1947 continue, actor Sunny Deol spoke about India and Pakistan during a media interaction in Patna, Bihar. The upcoming period drama is set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition, and the actor was asked to share his thoughts on Pakistan.

Responding to the question, Sunny Deol said he does not want to look at the issue through emotions because India and Pakistan were once part of the same country. While answering, he quoted his father, veteran actor Dharmendra, and referred to Pakistan as Indians' "mausi" (aunt).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Raman Rai (@raman.rai.65)

“Hum feel ki baatein nahi karte because pura mulk ek hi tha. Jaise papa ne kaha ki ye meri maa hai aur vo meri mausi hai ye toh aap log sab achi tarah se jante hain. Hum sab ek tarah se hain toh jude hue kahin na kahin se” he said.

Sunny Deol also made it clear that Batwara 1947 was shot completely in India and not in Pakistan.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pallav Paliwal (@pallav_paliwal)

The actor added that he does not want to discuss political matters because his focus is on films and storytelling. He said actors create stories to entertain people and do not wish to give them a political angle.

“Main us sab me zyada jana nahi chahta… hum actors hain, we are makers. Hum kahaaniyaan chunte hain aur kahaaniyan banate hain. Usko phir hum yahan vahan, usko politically nahi le ke jate hain aur na jana chahte hain. Isilye main us sabki baat hi nahi karuga, added.

Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, Batwara 1947 stars Sunny Deol, Karan Deol, Shabana Azmi, Preity Zinta, Ali Fazal, and Abhimanyu Singh. Produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit under Aamir Khan Productions, the film is scheduled to release in theatres on August 14.

- PTC PUNJABI