The participation of Diljit Dosanjh in "Border 2," the sequel to the iconic 1997 war drama, has been cast into doubt amid the ongoing controversy surrounding his upcoming film "Sardaar Ji 3." This Punjabi movie has faced severe backlash due to the inclusion of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the cast, triggering strong reactions from film bodies and the public in India.

The controversy erupted against the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly following the Pahalgam terror attack. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has expressed its disappointment and has even sent letters to the makers of "Border 2," urging them to reconsider casting Diljit Dosanjh, citing a violation of their directive against working with Pakistani artists [7, 10]. FWICE reminded everyone of its 2019 ban on Pakistani collaborations after the Pulwama attack [10].

Adding fuel to the fire, singer Guru Randhawa indirectly criticized Diljit Dosanjh, emphasizing the importance of remembering and being proud of one's birthplace, even if citizenship changes [4]. This comment was widely interpreted as a dig at Dosanjh in light of the "Sardaar Ji 3" controversy.

In response to the backlash, the makers of "Sardaar Ji 3" have decided not to release the film in India until the situation becomes more favorable [3]. The film's trailer has also been geo-restricted on YouTube in India [2]. Despite the controversy, Diljit Dosanjh has defended "Sardaar Ji 3," its makers, and has spoken positively about Hania Aamir, emphasizing her professionalism during the shoot [5]. He stated that everything was fine between the two countries when the film was being made in February [5].

Amidst all of this, some reports have emerged claiming that Diljit Dosanjh is no longer part of "Border 2" and that the makers are looking for a replacement [6]. However, other sources suggest that no such decision has been made yet [9]. The film "Border 2" is slated to release on January 23, 2026 [7].

Diljit’s manager, Sonali Singh, has spoken out against the criticism, calling it "disheartening" and "unfair," especially considering the film was shot before the current political climate intensified [3]. She highlighted that the film is funded by the producers' personal savings, which are now at risk [3]. She also questioned the alleged hypocrisy of celebrating Diljit's global achievements while simultaneously questioning his patriotism [3].

Despite the controversy, Diljit Dosanjh's global recognition continues to grow. Toronto Metropolitan University in Canada is launching a course dedicated to studying his influence on music, culture, and the South Asian diaspora [2].