‘‘Pakistan meri mausi hai’: Sunny Deol recalls Dharmendra’s remark, avoids political debate at Batwara 1947 event

Actor Sunny Deol steered clear of political commentary when asked about Pakistan during a promotional event for his upcoming film Batwara 1947 in Patna on Sunday, saying he prefers to focus on storytelling rather than politics.

Responding to a question about the neighbouring country, Sunny first clarified that the film was shot entirely in India.

“It wasn’t shot there; it was shot in India,” he said.

The actor then reflected on the shared history of India and Pakistan before Partition, recalling a well-known remark by his father, veteran actor Dharmendra.

“We don’t talk in terms of ‘feelings’ because the entire country was once one. As my father said, ‘This is my mother and that is my maternal aunt.’ We are all connected to one another in some way,” Sunny said.

‘We make stories, not politics’

Sunny stressed that actors should tell stories rather than turn films into political debates.

“I don’t want to get into all that. We are actors, we are filmmakers. We choose stories and bring them to life. We don’t want to take those stories into the political arena, and that’s why I won’t comment on it,” he said.

About Batwara 1947

Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, Batwara 1947 reunites the filmmaker with Sunny Deol nearly three decades after their acclaimed collaborations on Ghayal, Damini and Ghatak.

The film is adapted from Asghar Wajahat’s 1989 play Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya, O Jamya E Nai. It follows a married couple, played by Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta, whose lives are upended by the Partition as they are forced to migrate to Pakistan despite celebrating India’s Independence.

Backed by Aamir Khan Productions, Batwara 1947 is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on August 14, 2026.