Maa-mausi ki controversy

Actor Sunny Deol’s statement about India-Pakistan sparks debate online

Bollywood star Sunny Deol will next be seen in Rajkumar Santoshi’s Batwara 1947, which is produced by Aamir Khan. The film’s trailer was released a few days ago, and the actor is currently busy promoting the movie. During one of the film’s promotional events, Sunny referenced his father Dharmendra’s statement and said that if India is like his mother, Pakistan is like his aunt.

When the actor was asked about his experience of shooting Batwara 1947 in Pakistan and what he feels about the neighbouring country's atmosphere, Sunny clarified, “Humne wahan toh shoot nahin kiya; Hindustan mein hi shoot hua hai. Hum koi feel ki baat nahin karte, kyunki pura mulk ek hi tha (We didn’t shoot there; it was shot in India. We don’t talk about feelings because the whole country was one).”

He further said, “Jaise papa ne kaha ke ‘yeh meri maa hai, toh woh meri mausi hai’, jo aap log sab achchi tarah se jaante hain. Hum sab ek tarah se jode hue hain kahin na kahin se (Like dad said, ‘This is my mom, and that’s my aunt’, which you all know very well. We’re all connected in some way)."

A netizen tweeted, “See intention His intention is not wrong Pakistan is also tired of terrorism & bad governence So he said in casual way (sic).”

Another X user wrote, “This man is just another typical bollywoodiya. Some deshbhakt films that he has done doesn’t change that. Credit for those deshbhakt films should go the writer and the producer who okayed the script (sic).”