Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh addressed the controversy surrounding his film Sardaar Ji 3, which will not be released in India due to backlash over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir.
The producers’ decision follows condemnation from two major Indian film industry associations, the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) and the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA). The film is set to premiere overseas on June 27.
The backlash stems from heightened India-Pakistan tensions following an 87-hour military confrontation in May 2025, sparked by Indian missile strikes inside Pakistan. Pakistan’s retaliatory operation, Bunyan-um-Marsoos (Iron Wall), saw the Pakistan Air Force down six Indian jets, including three Rafale aircraft. This conflict has fueled opposition to cross-border collaborations, with Hania Aamir’s role in Sardaar Ji 3 drawing particular scrutiny.
"हमारे देश के 80% गाने पाकिस्तानी हैं, उन गानों का क्या करेंगे?"
◆ पंजाबी सिंगर जसबीर जस्सी ने कहा
Jasbir Jassi | #DiljitDosanjh | Sardaar Ji 3 | #Controversy pic.twitter.com/VgKDPOb1NT
— News24 (@news24tvchannel) June 25, 2025Diljit and Hania’s collaboration first gained attention when she joined him on stage at his London concert in 2024, where he publicly praised her. Their casting in the third instalment of the Sardaar Ji series was well-received, but geopolitical shifts changed the narrative.
Diljit Dosanjh की नई फिल्म 'Sardaar Ji 3' को लेकर जारी विरोध पर मेजर और प्रोड्यूसर ने की खास बातचीत! इस चर्चा के दौरान उन्होंने भारत सरकार से एक अहम अपील भी की। पूरा वीडियो देखें और अपनी राय कमेंट्स में ज़रूर बताएं!
Watch full video – https://t.co/34yCZeCmq5#DiljitDosanjh… pic.twitter.com/mbLQlwqLUe
— Chanakya Forum (@ChanakyaForum) June 24, 2025Diljit’s Response
In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Diljit explained, “When the film was being made in February, the situation was OK… a lot has happened since then, but those things are beyond our control.” He noted that the producers opted against an Indian release to avoid further backlash, citing significant financial investment. “They’ve put a lot of money into the film… now they’re looking at a loss,” he said. Diljit described Hania as “very professional,” despite their limited shared screen time.
This is not the first instance of backlash against Pakistani artists in India. Since 2016, periodic restrictions have targeted stars like Fawad Khan, whose film Abir Gulaal remains stalled, and Mahira Khan and Mawra Hocane, whose images were removed from Bollywood promotional materials. The Sardaar Ji 3 ban reflects ongoing cultural and political sensitivities.
The controversy highlights the challenges of artistic collaborations amid India-Pakistan tensions. For Diljit, a global star, the decision to forego an Indian release protects the film’s overseas launch but underscores the financial and cultural complexities of cross-border projects. Fans and industry observers are watching how this impacts future collaborations.
