The All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) is demanding the removal of Diljit Dosanjh from the upcoming film Border 2, following what they have termed a "lifetime ban" on the actor from the Indian film industry. This action stems from Dosanjh's collaboration with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his film Sardaar Ji 3 and the film's subsequent release in Pakistan.
AICWA has labeled Dosanjh a "traitor," citing concerns over patriotism and arguing that his actions undermine India's sovereignty and disrespect its soldiers. The association has been vocal in its criticism, urging producers to publicly announce Dosanjh's removal from Border 2, emphasizing that the "entire country is watching" and "history will judge your silence." They have stated that collaborating with Pakistan in any form amounts to "treason." In addition to demanding his removal from Border 2, AICWA has also called for a ban on Dosanjh's songs, films, concerts, and live performances in India and has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to suspend his social media accounts. They are also requesting a full investigation into the funding of Sardaar Ji 3 and a nationwide ban on its release in India.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has also joined the call for Dosanjh's removal from Border 2. FWICE has directly addressed letters to Bhushan Kumar, a co-producer of Border 2, and actor Sunny Deol, expressing their "deep disappointment and concern" over Dosanjh's casting. They cited a violation of FWICE's directive to boycott Dosanjh after his "unpatriotic act" of working with Hania Aamir. FWICE has also written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting the withdrawal of permission for the Border 2 production team to shoot at the National Defence Academy (NDA) premises in Pune.
Despite the backlash and demands for his removal, sources close to the Border 2 production have told the Hindustan Times that there are currently no plans to replace Diljit Dosanjh. The source stated that the announcement of his casting was made months ago, and approximately 40-50% of the film's shooting has already been completed, making any changes at this point logistically difficult. However, other reports suggest that the makers are considering replacing Dosanjh with Ammy Virk, as he has only filmed a few scenes so far.
The controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh highlights the ongoing tensions and sensitivities surrounding collaborations between Indian and Pakistani artists. While Sardaar Ji 3 has been released globally, its release in India has been put on hold. The film bodies are urging filmmakers, producers, and actors to drop Diljit from Hindi films, citing “national sentiment”. The situation remains fluid, with industry bodies taking a firm stance against Dosanjh, while the Border 2 production team weighs its options.