Actor Yasir Hussain criticized Sunny Deol for starring in Border 2, calling out its nationalistic and anti-Pakistan narrative. Hussain urged Deol to make at least one film like Dharmendra’s Ikkis, which focused on the human cost of war rather than glorifying conflict. He argued that Border 2 appeals only to “the hearts of haters.”
Deol’s Border 2, released on January 23, has crossed $22 million at the box office. The film revisits the 1971 India-Pakistan war with large-scale action, emotional spectacle, and patriotic messaging. Directed by Anurag Singh, it stars Deol alongside Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty.
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Hussain’s comments highlight a growing concern over Bollywood films that simplify conflicts into hero-versus-enemy narratives. Recent hits, including Gadar 2 and Dhurandhar, often depict Pakistanis as one-dimensional villains, sidelining moral complexity or human cost.
The actor clarified that he does not oppose war films but wants cinema to explore grief, loss, and moral ambiguity. Hussain suggested that anti-war stories can still convey patriotism without relying on chest-thumping action or political propaganda.
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Cultural critics see Hussain’s remarks as tapping into regional audience fatigue over repetitive nationalist narratives. Whether Bollywood will shift toward more thoughtful storytelling remains uncertain, but Hussain’s call for nuanced cinema has sparked discussion online.