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Actor Sunny Deol chose to steer clear of political commentary when asked about Pakistan during the promotional event for his upcoming film Batwara 1947 in Patna. Instead of expressing a political opinion, the actor recalled a memorable remark made by his father, veteran actor Dharmendra, who once described Pakistan as India’s “mausi” (maternal aunt), explaining that both nations were once part of the same land before Partition.

Responding to a question about his views on Pakistan, Sunny made it clear that he did not wish to turn the film’s promotions into a political discussion. “Hum actors hain (We are actors),” he said, adding that his responsibility is to tell stories rather than engage in political debates. He stressed that Batwara 1947 is a film about humanity and the emotional wounds of Partition, not contemporary politics.

Sunny then shared an anecdote about Dharmendra, recalling that his father would often say, “Pakistan meri mausi hai.” Explaining the sentiment behind the statement, the actor said India and Pakistan were once one country before the Partition of 1947. “Yeh meri maa hai, toh woh meri mausi hai,” he remarked, suggesting that while India is like a mother, Pakistan shares a historical and familial connection because of their common past.

The actor emphasised that Batwara 1947 seeks to portray the human cost of Partition rather than promote hostility. He said the film focuses on relationships, compassion and the shared pain experienced by families on both sides of the border during one of the most traumatic events in the subcontinent’s history. Sunny added that audiences should view the story through a humanitarian lens instead of a political one.

Clips of Sunny’s remarks quickly spread across social media, triggering mixed reactions. While many users appreciated his balanced response and his refusal to politicise the issue, others criticised the “Pakistan meri mausi hai” analogy, arguing that it was inappropriate given the current relationship between the two countries. The statement sparked widespread debate online, with supporters defending the actor’s emphasis on shared history and critics accusing him of making an insensitive comparison.

Batwara 1947, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Aamir Khan Productions, is based on the acclaimed play Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya, O Jamya E Nai. Set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition, the film stars Sunny Deol alongside Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal and Karan Deol. It marks Sunny’s reunion with Santoshi after iconic films such as Ghayal, Damini and Ghatak, and is scheduled to release in theatres on August 14, coinciding with India’s Independence Day celebrations.

Despite the controversy surrounding his remarks, Sunny maintained that the focus should remain on the film’s message of humanity and coexistence. By recalling Dharmendra’s words, the actor sought to highlight the deep cultural and historical ties that existed before Partition, while consciously avoiding any comment on present-day political issues. His measured response has nevertheless become one of the most talked-about moments from the film’s promotional campaign.