Bollywood actor Sunny Deol is currently busy promoting his highly anticipated film “Partition 1947.” The film is set to release in theaters on August 14th, and the team is holding promotional events across the country ahead of its release. However, a statement made by Sunny Deol during an event in Patna has sparked controversy on social media. He referred to an old quote by his father, veteran actor Dharmendra , calling Pakistan India’s “aunt,” sparking a debate on social media.
In fact, during a promotional event, when Sunny Deol was asked about India-Pakistan relations and the neighboring country, he replied that the two countries were once one. Echoing his father Dharmendra’s words, he said, “India is my mother and Pakistan is my aunt. We are somehow connected.” Sunny also clarified that he does not view the issue from a political perspective and intended to speak only in the context of history and relationships. Sunny Deol further stated that he always avoids commenting on politics. According to him, he is an actor and his job is to tell stories, not to be a part of political debates. He said that filmmakers and artists bring stories to the screen and do not want to politicize them. That is why he avoids discussing this topic extensively.
However, reactions to his statement have been mixed on social media. Many users criticized his statement, saying that such comments are inappropriate amid current India-Pakistan relations. Some wrote that such comments on a national issue could hurt people’s sentiments. Some users questioned whether Sunny Deol is unaware of the current political and security situation. On the other hand, many people also defended Sunny Deol, saying that the actor was not expressing his personal opinion but was simply reiterating what his father Dharmendra had said. Supporters believe that Sunny’s statement was within a historical and cultural context, which is being misrepresented on social media.
Speaking of the film “Partition 1947,” it’s an emotional story set against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan partition. Sunny Deol plays a Muslim character in the film. Preity Zinta, Ali Fazal, Abhimanyu Singh, Karan Deol, and Shabana Azmi also appear in pivotal roles. The film’s trailer has received positive reviews from audiences, and its story will feature both action and an emotional angle. “Partition 1947” will clash with Emraan Hashmi ‘s “Awarapan 2” at the box office on August 14th . This could lead to a fierce competition between the two films. Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Sunny Deol’s statement has further fueled the film’s promotion. It will be interesting to see how the film lives up to audience expectations upon release.