During a recent concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Diljit Dosanjh addressed the controversies surrounding his film 'Sardaarji 3,' particularly the backlash he faced for including Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the cast, in light of the Pahalgam terror attack that occurred on April 22, 2025. He also touched upon the India-Pakistan cricket match that took place after the attack.
Dosanjh clarified the timeline of events, emphasizing that the shooting of 'Sardaarji 3' concluded in February, prior to the tragic Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the death of 26 people, mostly tourists. He stated that while his film was shot before the attack, the India-Pakistan cricket match happened afterward. He expressed sorrow for the victims of the attack and asserted that he and his team have always prayed for the strictest punishment for terrorists.
The film's release in India was barred following the Pahalgam attack, but it was released overseas on June 27. Several Indian film bodies have since called for a permanent ban on the movie in India. Dosanjh faced criticism and was even labeled "anti-national" for working with a Pakistani actress amidst heightened tensions between the two countries. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) demanded that the film industry blacklist him and sought cancellation of their Indian citizenship, although the order was later revoked.
Videos from the concert show Diljit saluting the Indian Tricolour before addressing the audience. He stated, "Woh mere desh da jhanda hai (That's my country's flag). Always respect". He further added that national media outlets had attempted to paint him as “anti-national,” a label he firmly rejected. “Punjabis and the Sikh community could never go against the nation,” he said, drawing loud applause from the crowd.
Dosanjh explained his reason for remaining silent on the matter until that point. He said he had many answers but chose to keep everything inside. He stated that he has learned not to take "poison" from those who speak against him and that there is much more he could say, but he prefers not to.
Dosanjh's comments have sparked discussions about cultural exchanges and collaborations amidst political tensions between India and Pakistan. Some question the differing treatment of cultural collaborations compared to sports, particularly cricket, which continues between the two nations despite the tensions. Dosanjh's remarks highlight the challenges artists face when geopolitical issues impact their work.
