The relationship between India and Pakistan is at an all-time low. Earlier, the diplomatic relationship between India and Pakistan was not good either, but now the enmity has begun to affect the common people as well as the entertainment industry. The diplomatic relationship between India and Pakistan hit rock bottom after the Pakistani terrorists killed 26 innocent tourists in Pahalgam. In response, India carried out Operation Sindoor and destroyed terror launch pads in PoK and Pakistan. Before Operation Sindoor, India blocked social media channels of Pakistanis, including actors. Now, slowly and steadily, the true face of Pakistani YouTubers and actors has started to come.
Recently, a Pakistani comedian & actor, Iftikhar Thakur, sparked controversy when he stated that films do not run in Punjab without Pakistani artists. He gave this statement during a TV show. Thakur also made derogatory remarks against Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. Following these remarks, Iftikhar Thakur has been slammed left, right, and center and many artists of Punjabi industry vowed to never give him work in India.
In his address, Iftikhar Thakur said, "I have signed about 16 films in Indian Punjab, which I had to do. We were told that we will boycott you. To this, I replied that you do not have the courage to boycott, we boycott. Punjab films do not run without us. Indian films have not been a hit without Pakistani artists."
"9 films were made without Pakistani artists, but none of them worked. Pakistani artists do many important works, including dialogue in films made in Punjab. All the films done by Pakistani artists have been a hit every time. Punjabi industry has invested 300 to 350 crores rupees in our artists," added Thakur.
Iftikhar Thakur went on to say, "If India cannot make a film without us, then how will it win the war?"
After the Pahalgam attack, Punjabi film actor and comedian Binnu Dhillon had responded to Iftikhar Thakur's statement. Binnu had said that he would not work with Pakistani artists. Binnu Dhillon had also said that Iftikhar Thakur will not be allowed to come to Punjab. Those who are against our country should not get a chance to show their talent here. The projects that are in the pipeline with Pakistani artists will also not come to theatres, and neither will these artists be allowed to come to Punjab. Binnu had further said that the producers of Punjabi films have also been requested not to take Pakistani artists in their films.