The upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, starring Diljit Dosanjh, has ignited a major controversy due to the inclusion of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the cast. The film is scheduled for an overseas release on June 27, 2025, but will not be released in India. This decision has not prevented the film from facing severe backlash, with some prominent figures in the Indian film industry labeling Dosanjh as a "regular lawbreaker" and a "compulsive Pakistani lover."
Ashoke Pandit, President of the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA), has been particularly vocal in his criticism. He stated that the IFTDA had previously written to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which refused to certify the film. Pandit claims to have seen Hania Aamir's social media posts during "Operation Sindoor," a recent Indian response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He has called for a complete boycott of Diljit Dosanjh by music labels and the Punjabi film industry, stating that the association intends to take action against producers who work with him.
Adding to the chorus of disapproval, BN Tiwari, President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), has also condemned Dosanjh's decision. Tiwari stated that Diljit and the film's producers should be banned from working in India, asserting that those who are not with the nation are not with them. FWICE has reportedly decided to ban Diljit's upcoming films, songs, and other projects, and will issue a formal letter to this effect. They are also calling for a ban on the film's producers. Tiwari argues that Dosanjh's preference for Pakistani talent over Indian artists raises serious questions about his loyalty and priorities, and that he has hurt Indian sentiments and insulted the sacrifices of Indian soldiers.
The controversy has resurfaced the ongoing tensions between the Indian entertainment industry and cross-border collaborations, especially in light of recent events. Several film federations had previously called for a ban on Pakistani artists working in India following the Pahalgam terror attack, reminiscent of similar actions taken after the 2016 Uri attack. Moreover, access to social media accounts of Pakistani celebrities like Hania Aamir, Ali Zafar, and Mahira Khan have been restricted in India.
Despite the strong opposition, Diljit Dosanjh has also found support from some quarters. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and several Punjabi film and music industry figures have rallied behind the actor-singer. Gurcharan Singh Grewal, SGPC general secretary, argues that Dosanjh is being unfairly targeted for being a Punjabi and a turbaned Sikh artist. He emphasizes that Dosanjh is promoting Punjabi culture globally and is not the film's producer, and that the shooting was completed long before the Pahalgam attack. Veteran actress Nirmal Rishi has also defended Dosanjh, pointing out that Pakistani artists have worked in Indian films in the past and that artists are citizens of the world. Punjabi actress Sukhi Brar has called the "traitor" label deeply offensive.
The situation remains tense, with "Sardaar Ji 3's" fate in India uncertain. While the film is set for an overseas release, the calls for a complete boycott of Diljit Dosanjh highlight the deep-seated divisions and sensitivities surrounding cultural collaborations between India and Pakistan.
