Diljit Dosanjh stands firm on Sardaar Ji 3, says outrage came after filming ‘when situation changed’

Amid growing backlash surrounding Sardaar Ji 3, Punjabi actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has spoken out, defending the film and distancing himself from the current political tensions between India and Pakistan. The film, which won’t be released in India, features Pakistani actress Hania Aamir alongside Dosanjh and long-time collaborator Neeru Bajwa.

Speaking to BBC Asian Network, Diljit explained that the film was shot in February 2024, prior to the flare-up in cross-border tensions that followed a deadly attack in Kashmir. “When the film was being made, the situation was OK,” he said. “After that, there’s been a lot of things… that are not in our hands.”

The controversy stems from Hania Aamir’s alleged comments on social media following the April incident in which 26 Indian tourists were killed. India held Pakistan responsible, leading to retaliatory strikes and a severe escalation—the worst military confrontation in decades. Reports claim Aamir called India’s actions “cowardly” and “shameful,” prompting calls for a boycott of the Punjabi-language film.

Diljit added that while the producers had invested heavily in the film, the circumstances changed unexpectedly. “They’ve put a lot of money in the film and when they made it, none of this had happened—so we were like, they are already going to have a loss,” he said. The decision to release the film overseas only, he explained, came after careful consideration.

Despite sharing screen space with Aamir, Diljit mentioned their interaction was limited. “We didn’t have much time together,” he said, calling her “very professional” and describing their on-set experience as “very good.”

Meanwhile, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has objected to Dosanjh’s casting in the upcoming patriotic film Border 2, calling it “deeply disappointing.” The federation sent letters to producer Bhushan Kumar, director Anurag Singh, and actor Sunny Deol, urging them to reconsider their association with Dosanjh due to his collaboration with a Pakistani actor amid national tensions.

FWICE has reaffirmed its position against engaging with Pakistani nationals and described Dosanjh’s decision as a “shocking disregard” for Indian sentiment. The controversy has triggered intense debate, placing Dosanjh and his film under industry-wide scrutiny.