Iftikhar Thakur Controversy: Popular Pakistani comedian and actor Iftikhar Thakur has stirred controversy with a bold claim that Indian Punjabi cinema depends on Pakistani artists for success, stating, “They can’t give a hit without us. We used to write the films and dialogues for them and we have delivered hits.”

Thakur, known for his work in cross-border productions like 'Chal Mera Putt', implied that the success of Punjabi cinema was tied closely to contributions from across the border. However, his statement has triggered widespread backlash, especially in India, where fans and industry insiders are pointing to box office numbers that disprove the claim.

While it’s true that some films like the Chal Mera Putt series featured Pakistani artists and did reasonably well, critics argue that the backbone of Indian Punjabi cinema’s commercial success has always been its homegrown talent, both on and off the screen.

Here’s a look at some of the biggest Punjabi blockbusters, made without the involvement of Pakistani actors:

• Carry On Jatta 2 – Rs 60 crore
• Saunkan Saunkne – Rs 59 crore
• Honsla Rakh – Rs 55 crore
• Shadaa – Rs 55 crore
• And many more

These films, all released without Pakistani collaborations, performed exceptionally well, proving that the Indian Punjabi film industry is more than capable of generating hits on its own.

This raises a counter-question for Iftikhar Thakur’s comments: “What films exactly is he referring to when claiming they made Indian Punjabi cinema successful?”

Cross-Border Collaborations, Art, Not Necessity

Collaborations between Pakistani and Indian Punjabi artists have often produced heartwarming content and fostered goodwill, but it would be misleading to suggest they are the foundation of Indian Punjabi cinema’s success.