Iftikhar Thakur claims Punjabi films rely on Pakistani actors, faces backlash over remarks on CM Mann

Lahore: Pakistani comedian Iftikhar Thakur has stirred controversy with bold claims about the Punjabi film industry, asserting that films made in Indian Punjab are heavily dependent on Pakistani actors for success.

Thakur said the Punjabi film industry has invested around Rs 300 to 350 crore on Pakistani artistes and claimed he had signed 16 Punjabi films in India.

Speaking during a TV show, a video of which surfaced recently, Thakur said, “Punjab films don’t work without us. Indian films are not a hit without Pakistani actors. Nine films were made without Pakistani actors, but none worked. Many major works, including the dialogues of Punjabi films, are done by Pakistani artists.”

Thakur also responded to reported calls for boycotting him, saying, “We were told that we will boycott you. To this, I replied that you do not have the mouth to boycott, we do boycott.”

His remarks come after a previous controversial statement targeting Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The comment led to widespread criticism from Punjabi artists, many of whom demanded that Thakur not be given any work in the Punjabi film industry.