"Only those films of yours became hits which you did with me. The rest were all flops," Dhawan alleged

Rakesh Dhawan Slams Pakistani Actor Iftikhar Thakur Over Bold Claim on Punjabi Cinema

Rakesh Dhawan vs Iftikhar Thakur on Latest Controversy News Today: A war of words has broken out between Indian Punjabi filmmaker Rakesh Dhawan and Pakistani actor Iftikhar Thakur, following Thakur’s controversial claim that Indian Punjabi films cannot become hits without Pakistani actors.

Thakur’s statement, which implied that the success of Indian Punjabi films heavily depends on talent from Pakistan, has drawn sharp criticism from the Indian side. Reacting strongly, Rakesh Dhawan, who has written and directed several successful Punjabi films, hit back with a scathing social media post, accusing Thakur of arrogance and disrespect.

"Oh Iftikhar Thakur, you can't even run your house, and you think you can run Punjabi cinema?" Dhawan wrote. He argued that Indian Punjabi cinema has proven itself capable of delivering blockbuster hits without any involvement from across the border, and that Thakur's comments only reveal his frustration and irrelevance.

In a no-holds-barred tone, Dhawan accused Thakur and his colleagues of contributing little beyond vulgar comedy and claimed that Pakistani actors like him rose to popularity only due to Indian-made films like Chal Mera Putt. Dhawan pointed out that many religious groups in Pakistan had once disapproved of Thakur’s work, branding it "haraam."

"Only those films of yours became hits which you did with me. The rest were all flops," Dhawan alleged, adding that if he disclosed the kind of statements Thakur made on set, the actor’s own audience would turn against him.

He further remarked that Thakur had lost his grip ever since his recent work was stalled and called upon Pakistani actor Nasir Chinyoti to guide him. “You’re supposed to grow with age, not regress,” Dhawan said, ending his statement with a firm rebuke.

The remarks have gone viral across both Indian and Pakistani media platforms, stirring debate about artistic collaboration, nationalism, and the fragile nature of cross-border cultural exchanges.

While supporters of Dhawan applauded him for standing up for the Indian Punjabi film industry, others have called for restraint and urged both sides to avoid making personal attacks. Thakur, as of now, has not issued a response.

This heated exchange comes at a time when cultural collaboration between India and Pakistan remains rare but often powerful, with previous projects like Chal Mera Putt showcasing a unique blend of talent from both nations. Whether this rift will impact future collaborations remains to be seen.

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