Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh has addressed the controversy surrounding his upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3, which will not be released in India following backlash over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir.
Two prominent Indian film industry associations — the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) and the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) — have strongly criticized the inclusion of Hania Aamir in the film. Co-produced and starring Diljit, Sardaar Ji 3 is now slated for an overseas release this Friday, skipping Indian cinemas entirely.
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The controversy comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following an 87-hour military confrontation in May, triggered by reported Indian missile strikes on Pakistani territory. In retaliation, the Pakistan Army launched “Bunyan-um-Marsoos” (Iron Wall), an operation during which the Pakistan Air Force reportedly shot down at least six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales.
Speculation about Diljit and Hania’s collaboration began last year after she appeared at his London concert, where he invited her on stage and publicly praised her. Not long after, reports emerged that Hania would be featured in the next installment of the popular Sardaar Ji franchise. However, speaking to BBC Asian Network, Dosanjh explained that when production began earlier this year in February, the political climate was calm.
“When the film was being made, the situation was OK… a lot has happened since then, but those things are beyond our control,” he said.
He further clarified that the decision to withhold the film’s release in India was made by the producers in response to the backlash. “The producers decided that the film won’t be able to release in India, but it can release overseas,” he said, noting the financial risks involved. “They’ve already put a lot of money into the film, and when it was made, none of this had happened. Now they’re looking at a loss.”
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Speaking about working with Hania Aamir, Diljit mentioned that they didn’t share much screen time but praised her as “very professional.”
Cross-border artistic collaborations between India and Pakistan have often faced political resistance. Since 2016, restrictions on Pakistani artists have been intermittently enforced. Most recently, Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s film Abir Gulaal, co-starring Vaani Kapoor, was put on hold amid renewed tensions. Its release status remains unclear.
Other Pakistani actors such as Mahira Khan (Raees) and Mawra Hocane (Sanam Teri Kasam) have also faced backlash in the past, with their images removed from promotional materials and music covers following strains in Indo-Pak relations.