Iftikhar Thakur Controversy: A major controversy has erupted in the Punjabi film industry after acclaimed Punjabi director Rakesh Dhawan lashed out at Pakistani actor and comedian Iftikhar Thakur over his recent comments claiming that "no Indian Punjabi film can be a hit without Pakistani actors."

Responding strongly, Rakesh Dhawan took to social media to slam Thakur, calling his remarks “venomous” and “delusional.” Dhawan, known for delivering several successful Punjabi films, accused Thakur of undermining the Indian Punjabi film industry’s achievements.

"Oh Iftikhar Thakur, you can't even run your own house, you think you will run Punjabi cinema?" Dhawan wrote in a fiery post. He claimed that Indian Punjabi cinema has already created hits without any involvement from across the border, and that films are being released purely out of respect for the investments of producers.

The director did not hold back, accusing Thakur and his contemporaries of being limited to “vulgar comedy,” while asserting that it was Indian films like 'Carry On Jatta' and 'Chal Mera Putt' that elevated the standard with family-friendly content.

"Even your own countrymen don’t cast you in their films," Dhawan added, pointing out that Thakur’s recent rise in popularity came only due to his involvement in Indian productions.

Dhawan went on to state that only those films which featured Thakur under his own direction found any success, alleging that all of the actor’s other projects were flops. He even warned that if he were to reveal private conversations from the sets, Thakur’s own audience would turn against him.

"Had you dared to say such things before, you would have been sent back to your country after painting your face black," he said, sparking further debate online about the tone and intensity of the rebuttal.

Dhawan concluded his post by requesting senior Pakistani actor Nasir Chinyoti to talk sense into Thakur, lamenting that “instead of maturing with age, he seems to be going in the opposite direction.”

The controversy has triggered a heated discussion on social media, with fans and industry members weighing in from both sides of the border. 

Notably, Rakesh Dhawan has directed several films like 'Chal Mera Putt', Honsla Rakh', 'Aaja Maxico Chaliye', and 'Mittraan Da Challeya Truck Ni'.