‘Will Ban Him!’: FWICE lashes out at Diljit Dosanjh for casting Pakistani actor Hania Amir in 'Sardarji 3'

After winning hearts worldwide with his music and performances, Diljit Dosanjh now finds himself at the centre of controversy. The trailer for his upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3 was recently unveiled, and while fans were excited to see their favourite star return in a quirky horror-comedy, a major talking point emerged as Pakistani actor Hania Aamir is part of the film’s cast.

The backlash was quick. While the film is slated for an overseas release on June 27, many in India aren’t pleased. Most vocal among the critics is BN Tiwari, President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), who has slammed the actor for collaborating with a Pakistani talent amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions, especially following the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

In a strongly worded interview with Hindustan Times, Tiwari accused Diljit of disrespecting Indian sentiments and dishonouring the sacrifices of Indian soldiers. “By working with a Pakistani actor, Diljit has hurt Indian sentiments. He has disrespected the nation and insulted our brave soldiers,” he said. He further questioned Diljit’s loyalty, suggesting that prioritising a Pakistani actor over Indian talent sends the wrong message.

The criticism didn’t stop there. Tiwari confirmed that FWICE had already reached out to the film’s producers seeking clarity but received no response. “Humne letter de diya tha, ko jawab nahi aaya. Ab seedha ban karenge (We gave them a letter but got no reply. Now we will directly ban them),” he said, adding that they plan to impose a strict ban not only on Sardaar Ji 3 but also on all future projects involving Diljit and the producers.

Despite the storm, the trailer has been widely viewed online. Set in the UK, the film is a horror-comedy that features Diljit as a ghost hunter caught between the living and the supernatural. Alongside Neeru Bajwa and Hania Aamir, the film promises fun and frights in equal measure.

But what was meant to be a fun comeback for Diljit has now turned into a heated national debate. While the film may not hit Indian theatres, it has certainly stirred strong emotions across the border, on and off screen.