Pakistani Actor Iftikhar Thakur Stirs Up Controversy with Remarks Against India

Strategic Insights -

Iftikhar Thakur, a Pakistani actor known for his roles in Punjabi films, has sparked outrage and calls to boycott him after appearing on a Pakistani TV show and making derogatory remarks against India following the Pahalgam terror attack. In an attempt to clarify his previous statement, Thakur has landed in another controversy, with many from the Punjabi film industry expressing their disapproval and disappointment. The incident highlights the sensitive nature of cross-border relations and the responsibility of artists to remain neutral and avoid inflammatory remarks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Iftikhar Thakur, a Pakistani actor known for his roles in Punjabi films, sparked outrage and calls to boycott him after making derogatory remarks against India following the Pahalgam terror attack.
  • Thakur appeared on a Pakistani TV show and said, "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."
  • The statement was widely condemned in India, particularly by members of the Punjabi film industry, with many emphasizing that artists should be messengers of peace, not war.
  • Thakur attempted to clarify his previous statement by saying that he considers Eastern Punjab as his elder brother, but his clarification was met with further outrage and criticism.
  • Many from the Punjabi film industry, including Ravinder Singh Ranguwal, Gurbhajan Gill, and Mohammad Sadik, have expressed their disapproval and disappointment with Thakur's remarks and called for him to be boycotted.
  • Prominent actors like Binnu Dhillon and Gurpreet Ghuggi have criticized Thakur, emphasizing that artists should remain neutral and avoid inflammatory remarks.
  • The incident highlights the sensitive nature of cross-border relations and the responsibility of artists to remain impartial and avoid causing offense.

Statistics:

  • 26 lives were lost in the Pahalgam terror attack.
  • Iftikhar Thakur has been accused of making derogatory remarks against India, sparking outrage and calls to boycott him.
  • The Punjabi film industry has imposed an unofficial ban on Pakistani actors since the 2019 Pulwama attack.
  • Many Pakistani actors, including Nasir Chinyoti, Naseem Vicky, and Zafri Khan, have appeared in Punjabi films shot outside India.

Sources:

  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com, 2025 (quote) - "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."
  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com, 2025 (quote) - "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."
  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com, 2025 (quote) - "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."