The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has expressed its "deep disappointment" regarding the casting of Diljit Dosanjh in the upcoming film Border 2. The film employees association has formally communicated its concerns to Bhushan Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director of T-Series, along with JP Dutta and Nidhi Dutta, the producers at JP Films, and Anurag Singh, the director of the movie. This action by FWICE stems from the ongoing controversy surrounding Dosanjh's collaboration with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the film Sardaar Ji 3.
The controversy gained momentum after the trailer release of Sardaar Ji 3, which is slated for an overseas release on June 27th. FWICE has strongly condemned Dosanjh and his team for casting Aamir, particularly in light of recent events such as the Pahalgam terror attack and India's Operation Sindoor. The association views the collaboration as insensitive and disrespectful to national sentiments, especially considering Aamir's alleged anti-India stance and promotion of anti-India narratives on social media.
Adding fuel to the fire, singer Mika Singh has publicly criticized Diljit Dosanjh, labeling him a "fake singer" and "irresponsible" for working with a Pakistani artist amidst the strained relations between India and Pakistan. Singh emphasized the importance of prioritizing the nation's dignity and urged artists to consider the implications of cross-border collaborations. He recalled a past instance where a film featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan faced opposition and an eventual ban, questioning why some artists seemingly fail to grasp the gravity of the situation.
Amidst the escalating criticism, Diljit Dosanjh has remained relatively silent, offering only a cryptic message on social media that read, "Censored before release?". While the post didn't directly address the Sardaar Ji 3 controversy, it's widely interpreted as a reference to the censorship issues faced by his long-awaited film Punjab 95, a biopic about human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra.
FWICE has taken a firm stance, urging the Indian government to take action against the makers of Sardaar Ji 3, including revoking their passports and imposing a nationwide ban on the film's release in India. The association has also appealed to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to withhold certification for Sardaar Ji 3.
The controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding collaborations between Indian and Pakistani artists, particularly in the wake of heightened tensions between the two nations. It also brings to the fore the pressure faced by artists to align with nationalistic sentiments and the potential repercussions of perceived missteps. The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of further actions and statements from various parties involved.
