Amidst the controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh's upcoming film 'Sardaar Ji 3', featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi has voiced his support for Dosanjh, questioning the "double standards" prevalent in the Indian entertainment industry. The controversy erupted after the trailer for 'Sardaar Ji 3' was released, revealing Aamir in a prominent role, leading to calls for a ban on the film in India.
The film's release in India has been affected due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 and Operation Sindoor on May 7. The makers of the film decided to not release the film in India due to the backlash.
Jasbir Jassi, in an interview with NDTV, expressed his respect for the sentiments of those calling for the ban, acknowledging the importance of standing by one's country. However, he sharply criticized what he sees as hypocrisy within the industry. He pointed out that Indian films frequently feature songs by foreign singers, and often copy music from other countries, particularly Pakistan, without facing similar backlash. Jassi stated that approximately 80% of songs are "stolen" or copied, yet this is widely ignored.
Jassi argued that it is unfair to target a single Pakistani artist when the industry is rife with cultural appropriation. He questioned why only one artist is being singled out when the practice of using foreign artists and mimicking their work is so widespread. He went on to say, "If you don't want any Pakistani artists singing, acting or working in any Indian film, you want to ban them...Either get rid of all those songs from YouTube, Spotify and other digital platforms. But not like this, you take just one artiste and start protesting against them."
The singer further elaborated on his point by using an analogy: "It's like someone came to your house with something to eat and then you start calling them the enemy but you keep eating the things or sweets they brought along with them. If you want to ban (Pakistani artists), ban them completely. Get all that content available in the world lifted... why are you banning films of one artist at a time?".
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has taken a firm stance against Diljit Dosanjh, even writing to Prime Minister Modi, demanding severe actions. Their demands include banning Diljit's social media accounts in India, removing his songs and films from various platforms like YouTube and Spotify, and prohibiting his live shows and events. They also seek a ban on 'Sardaar Ji 3', an investigation into its funding, and a refusal to certify his future films. AICWA has gone so far as to threaten legal action against anyone who collaborates with Diljit.
Jassi's support for Diljit Dosanjh comes in the wake of criticism from other members of the industry, including singer Mika Singh. Jassi's statement has ignited discussions online, with many questioning the selective outrage and calling for a more consistent approach to dealing with cross-border collaborations.
