As tensions between India and Pakistan continue to impact cultural collaborations, Canadian-Indian actress Neeru Bajwa has reportedly unfollowed her Sardaar Ji 3 co-star Hania Aamir on Instagram and removed all posts related to the film from her social media accounts—just ahead of its global release on Friday.
This move appears to follow a wave of criticism in India over the inclusion of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the Punjabi horror-comedy, which also stars Diljit Dosanjh. While both actresses have remained silent on the matter, insiders suggest Bajwa’s decision is likely a reaction to mounting online pressure and nationalist backlash.
Read more: Diljit and Hania Aamir’s ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ Hits Cinemas in Pakistan on June 27
Several users accused her of betraying Indian sentiments by collaborating with a Pakistani celebrity, particularly in light of heightened diplomatic tensions after a recent deadly incident in Pahalgam.
Sources familiar with the film’s production say it was completed earlier this year, prior to a renewed informal ban on Pakistani talent in Indian entertainment. However, public anger has grown, forcing the producers to cancel promotional efforts within India.
Gunbir Singh Sidhu, the film’s producer, clarified that the choice not to release Sardaar Ji 3 in Indian cinemas was voluntary and not the result of any formal government ban. “Given the current sensitivity, we chose not to promote the film in India or release its trailer locally,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Film Federation of Western Indian Cinema (FWIC) has taken a hardline stance, calling on authorities to revoke Diljit Dosanjh’s passport due to his involvement in the film. This demand has been met with criticism from several artists and human rights advocates, who argue that such actions threaten creative freedom.
Despite the controversy, Sardaar Ji 3, directed by Amar Hundal, will see an international release, including in Pakistan. The film is Hania Aamir’s debut in Indian Punjabi cinema and is being actively marketed in overseas markets like Canada and the UK, where Punjabi-speaking audiences are strong.
The controversy highlights the persistent strain on artistic ties between the two nations, where political discord often overshadows creative endeavors. The Sardaar Ji franchise, once popular on both sides of the border for its supernatural humor, now finds itself caught in the middle of a diplomatic storm.
As of Friday, Hania Aamir has not publicly commented, and promotional materials for the film remain on her Instagram. In contrast, Neeru Bajwa’s social media now shows no mention of the project—intensifying speculation about the apparent rift between the co-stars.
