The casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Diljit Dosanjh's upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3 has ignited a significant controversy in India, leading to calls for a ban on the actor and his projects within the country. The film, a horror-comedy, is slated for an overseas release on June 27, but it will not be screened in India.
Several Indian film bodies have expressed strong disapproval of Dosanjh's decision to cast Aamir, particularly in light of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 and India's subsequent Operation Sindoor. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has stated its intention to issue a directive to ban Dosanjh and the film's producers from undertaking any future projects in India.
Ashoke Pandit, President of the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association, echoed these sentiments, denouncing Dosanjh as a "compulsive Pakistani lover." He further stated that the association would urge producers to refrain from working with Dosanjh and called for a complete boycott of the actor by music labels and the Punjabi film industry.
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has also condemned Dosanjh's decision, with its President, Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, stating that it is a "direct insult to the sacrifices made by our soldiers and civilians." The AICWA has called for a nationwide boycott of Sardaar Ji 3 and urged the Indian entertainment industry to sever all professional ties with Dosanjh.
The controversy has drawn parallels to previous instances where Pakistani artists working in India faced backlash, particularly after the 2016 Uri attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack. Following these incidents, several film bodies imposed bans on Pakistani artists in Indian films, reflecting a politically motivated decision amid strained relations between the two countries.
Some individuals have criticized Hania Aamir for alleged anti-India remarks following Operation Sindoor. Social media has been flooded with angry reactions from Indian netizens expressing disappointment over Dosanjh's decision to collaborate with a Pakistani artist amidst the prevailing tensions. Some users have labeled Dosanjh "shameless" and accused him of being a "separatist," questioning his loyalty to India.
Despite the controversy, some voices within the Indian film industry, such as Salman Khan, have expressed a willingness to work with Pakistani artists if the Indian government grants them the necessary permissions. The Bombay High Court had also dismissed a petition in 2023 seeking a formal ban on Pakistani talent, reaffirming that artists should not be punished for diplomatic tensions.
The film Sardaar Ji 3 will not be released in India, and its trailer has been geo-blocked on YouTube within the country. This decision is seen as an attempt to avoid further controversy and potential disruptions. Dosanjh has yet to respond publicly to the backlash.
