Diljit Dosanjh is under fire for casting Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in ‘Sardaar Ji 3’
A Film, A Flame: How ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ Ignited a Cultural Firestorm
What began as a routine trailer drop for the much-anticipated Punjabi horror-comedy Sardaar Ji 3 has now escalated into a full-blown controversy. On June 22, 2025, actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh unveiled the trailer featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, triggering a wave of backlash from Bollywood unions and nationalist voices.
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The timing couldn’t have been more volatile. Just weeks earlier, a terror attack in Pahalgam had reignited tensions between India and Pakistan. In response, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) issued statements condemning the inclusion of Pakistani talent in Indian productions. They urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to deny certification to Sardaar Ji 3, citing a government advisory against such collaborations.
Singer Mika Singh joined the chorus, criticizing Dosanjh for “ignoring national sentiment.” Social media, too, erupted—some users called for a boycott of the film, while others demanded the revocation of Dosanjh’s Indian citizenship.
Dosanjh Responds: “I Don’t Owe Bollywood Anything”
Amid the uproar, Diljit Dosanjh remained defiant. In a cryptic social media post, he wrote, “Censored before release. Art doesn’t need permission to breathe.” He later clarified that Sardaar Ji 3 was filmed well before the Pahalgam attack and that Hania Aamir’s casting was finalized under “entirely different circumstances”.
The film’s producers echoed this sentiment, stating:
“We stand united with our country and our fellow countrymen during this sensitive time. Considering the same, we have decided not to release the film or any of its promotional content in India until the situation becomes opportune.”
Instead, the film will see an overseas-only release on June 27, 2025—a move that has further polarized public opinion. While some applaud Dosanjh’s commitment to artistic integrity, others view it as a calculated evasion of accountability.
Dosanjh, who has long straddled the worlds of Punjabi cinema and Bollywood, emphasized his independence:
“I am not bound by Bollywood’s rules. I make films for my audience, not for gatekeepers.”
Art or Anarchy? The Larger Debate on Cultural Boundaries
The Sardaar Ji 3 controversy has reignited a long-standing debate in Indian entertainment: Where do we draw the line between nationalism and artistic freedom?
This isn’t the first time cross-border collaborations have sparked outrage. In 2016, following the Uri attack, Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan were unofficially banned from Indian screens. Since then, the line between politics and pop culture has only grown blurrier.
Critics argue that banning artists based on nationality undermines the very spirit of art, which thrives on dialogue and diversity. Supporters of the ban, however, insist that national security and public sentiment must take precedence.
Meanwhile, Sardaar Ji 3, a film that was once expected to be a box office hit now finds itself at the centre of a cultural tug-of-war. Whether it becomes a cautionary tale or a symbol of resistance remains to be seen.
Conclusion:
Diljit Dosanjh’s Sardaar Ji 3 has become more than a film, it’s a flashpoint in India’s ongoing struggle to balance patriotism with pluralism. As the industry grapples with questions of loyalty, identity, and freedom, one thing is clear: art in India is no longer just entertainment, it’s a battleground.
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