Indian singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh is under fire from nationalist groups after the trailer release of his upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3, which stars Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. The trailer’s release triggered a wave of online outrage, with some users labeling Diljit as a traitor for collaborating with a Pakistani artist amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
Several social media posts, particularly on platform X (formerly Twitter), have gone viral, calling on the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to revoke Diljit’s passport. These critics claim that featuring a Pakistani actress in an Indian film displays a lack of national sensitivity, especially in light of recent cross-border hostilities.
Read more: Diljit Faces Ban in India Over Film With Hania Amir
One such post even referenced alleged Pakistani involvement in a recent attempt to attack the Golden Temple, arguing that Diljit’s collaboration was deeply inappropriate and offensive.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) also voiced strong objections. Its president, BN Tiwari, threatened a lifetime ban on Diljit Dosanjh and the production company White Hill Studios if the film is released internationally without removing Hania Aamir’s scenes.
Reports suggest that filming for Sardaar Ji 3 was completed before the latest spike in India-Pakistan tensions. Despite speculation that the production team might replace Aamir’s scenes, the recently released trailer confirms she remains in the movie. While the film is set for an international release on June 27, its release in Indian cinemas is now in doubt.
In contrast, many Pakistani fans have applauded Diljit for prioritizing artistic collaboration over political pressure. Social media users from Pakistan have praised him for standing firm in support of cross-border creativity.
This controversy highlights the ongoing struggle between cultural exchange and political tension in South Asia. Whether Indian authorities will act on the calls to cancel Diljit’s passport is still unclear, but the incident once again emphasizes the fragile nature of Indo-Pak artistic collaborations.
