Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah deleted a Facebook post supporting Diljit Dosanjh amidst the controversy surrounding Dosanjh's film Sardaar Ji 3, which features Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. The deletion occurred on July 1, 2025, a day after the original post.
The controversy arose from the inclusion of Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3, which led to calls for the film to be banned in India. Some viewed Dosanjh's collaboration with a Pakistani actress as inappropriate, particularly in light of recent events like Operation Sindoor. Singers like Mika Singh and Guru Randhawa reportedly criticized Dosanjh for "betraying" the audience's trust.
Shah's now-deleted post voiced strong support for Dosanjh, stating, "I STAND FIRMLY WITH DILJIT". He defended Dosanjh by saying that the actor wasn't responsible for the film's casting, placing the onus on the director. Shah argued that Dosanjh agreed to the cast because "his mind is not poisoned". He also criticized those attacking Dosanjh, suggesting their aim was to sever ties between the people of India and Pakistan. Shah emphasized his personal connections to Pakistan, stating that "no one can stop me from meeting them or sending them love whenever I feel like it". Furthermore, Shah's post took a political tone, accusing the "dirty tricks deptt of Jumla Party" (referring to the BJP) of seizing an opportunity to attack Dosanjh.
The deletion of the post quickly sparked reactions on social media, with many users mocking Shah for what they perceived as a "U-turn". The hashtag #NaseeruddinShah began trending, with people sharing screenshots of the deleted post and criticizing his actions. Some speculated that the deletion was due to the backlash Shah received for giving the controversy a political slant.
Following the deletion, Shah posted a quote from scientist and philosopher Georg Christoph Lichtenberg: "It is almost impossible to carry the torch of truth through a crowd without singeing somebody's beard".
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, President of the Indian Film & Television Directors' Association, criticized Shah's initial post, attributing it to "frustration". Pandit took exception to Shah's use of terms like "Jumla Party" and "goons," deeming such language unbecoming of a respected actor.
Despite the criticism, Dosanjh has also received support from others in the industry. Imtiaz Ali, director of Amar Singh Chamkila, praised Dosanjh's honesty and genuine nature. However, television actress Rupali Ganguly publicly criticized Dosanjh. The Sardaar Ji 3 controversy continues to generate debate and divided opinions within the entertainment industry and on social media.
The incident highlights the complexities of cultural and political sensitivities within the Indian film industry, particularly regarding collaborations with Pakistani artists. It also demonstrates the power of social media to amplify and influence public discourse surrounding these issues.
