The ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ Controversy: When Cross-Border Casting Sparks Geopolitical Tensions

Diljit Dosanjh, one of India’s most prominent Punjabi entertainers, finds himself at the center of a political storm that has forced his latest film “Sardaar Ji 3” to skip its Indian theatrical release entirely. The controversy stems from the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the film, which has triggered calls for boycotts and bans from Indian film industry associations amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions.

The film, which was scheduled for release on June 27, 2025, will now only be distributed in overseas markets, marking a significant commercial setback for what was anticipated to be a major Punjabi cinema release.

The controversy traces its roots to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in April 2024, where 26 tourists were killed. India blamed Pakistan for the April attack — which Pakistan denied — and then launched air strikes inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, with Pakistan firing missiles back, according to BBC reports. This escalation marked “the worst military confrontation between the neighboring countries in decades, with dozens of people killed.”

Following these tensions, Hania reportedly shared comments on social media calling India’s strikes “cowardly” and “shameful,” which became the flashpoint for the current controversy. The actress’s social media posts criticizing India’s military response sparked widespread backlash among Indian audiences and film industry bodies.

The Actress at the Center of the Storm

Hania Aamir, born in 1997, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, is a rising star in Pakistani entertainment. She received wider popularity with “Mere Humsafar” (2022) and gained praise for the romantic drama “Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum” (2024). The actress has built a significant following across South Asia, including many fans in India.

However, her involvement in “Sardaar Ji 3” has become highly controversial due to the timing and her alleged social media statements. Following the Pahalgam attack, Instagram accounts of several Pakistani celebrities, including Hania Aamir, were blocked in India, further escalating tensions.

The actress has previously attempted to maintain connections with her Indian fanbase, even creating a new Instagram account specifically for Indian fans, though this move was met with criticism from some Pakistani social media users who accused her of trying to appease Indian audiences.

Industry Backlash and Demands for Boycott

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has taken an aggressive stance against the film and Dosanjh himself. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the association has demanded sweeping actions including:

• Immediate suspension of all Diljit Dosanjh’s social media accounts in India
• Removal of all his songs and movies from platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and OTT platforms
• A permanent ban on his live concerts and public performances across India
• A full investigation into the funding of “Sardaar Ji 3”
• Rejection of certification for all future films involving Dosanjh

While the immediate trigger was the casting of a Pakistani actress amid heightened bilateral tensions, the incident reflects broader challenges facing artists who seek to transcend political boundaries through their work.

AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta stated that “Despite knowing the recent brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, in which 26 innocent Indian lives were lost at the hands of Pakistani-sponsored terrorists, Diljit Dosanjh has shockingly chosen to cast a Pakistani artist.”

The association had previously officially boycotted all Pakistani artists from working in India following the Pulwama terror attack in 2019, making Dosanjh’s collaboration with Aamir particularly contentious.

Dosanjh’s Defense

In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Dosanjh has defended his decision, emphasizing the timeline of the film’s production. “When the film was being made, the situation was OK. After that, there’s been a lot of things… that are not in our hands,” he explained, noting that the film was shot in February 2024, prior to the flare-up in cross-border tensions.

Regarding his working relationship with Aamir, Dosanjh described her as “very professional” and said they had a “very good” experience on set, though he noted “we didn’t have much time together” during filming.

The decision to skip the Indian release was made by the producers, who, according to Dosanjh, “decided that the film won’t be able to release in India but it can release overseas” due to the backlash.

The Broader Context: Hindu Nationalism vs. Sikh Identity

While the immediate controversy centers on the Pakistan connection, it’s important to examine whether deeper tensions between Hindu nationalist movements and the Sikh community play a role in the backlash against Dosanjh.

Dosanjh has been a prominent advocate for Punjabi and Sikh representation on global platforms. His appearance at the Met Gala, where he wore traditional Sikh attire including a turban and kirpan, was seen as a significant moment for Sikh representation. “For me to go to the Met Gala wasn’t a big thing,” he said. “But for Punjab and the turban to go there — that was the biggest thing.”

His co-star Neeru Bajwa noted that “We finally have representation. We are finally being celebrated and it is because of him,” highlighting Dosanjh’s role in bringing Punjabi culture to international prominence.

However, the current controversy appears to be primarily driven by the Pakistan connection rather than religious or ethnic tensions. The film industry associations’ statements focus exclusively on the national security angle and the presence of a Pakistani actress, rather than making any references to Dosanjh’s Sikh identity.

Commercial and Cultural Impact

The controversy represents a significant financial blow to the film’s producers and distributors. Dosanjh acknowledged that “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.”

The incident also highlights the complex challenges facing artists in the subcontinent who seek to work across borders. Despite shared cultural heritage, particularly in Punjab, which was divided between India and Pakistan during partition, political tensions continue to create barriers for artistic collaboration.

International Recognition

Ironically, the controversy comes at a time when Dosanjh has been gaining significant international recognition. In 2023, he became the first Punjabi star to play Coachella, following that up with an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in 2024. He has also collaborated with international artists including Korean star Jackson Wang and brought out Ed Sheeran during his UK tour.

Dosanjh has been deliberate about maintaining his Punjabi identity in these international collaborations. “If I’ve been given the chance to be on that stage, if I can showcase our music, our beats, then that’s a big deal,” he says, emphasizing his commitment to representing Punjabi culture globally.

The “Sardaar Ji 3” controversy illustrates the complex intersection of entertainment, politics, and national identity in contemporary South Asia. While the immediate trigger was the casting of a Pakistani actress amid heightened bilateral tensions, the incident reflects broader challenges facing artists who seek to transcend political boundaries through their work.

For Dosanjh, who has built his career on representing Punjabi culture and breaking international barriers, the controversy presents a significant challenge. The decision to forgo the Indian release, while protecting the film from potential disruptions, represents a commercial sacrifice that underscores the difficult choices artists face when their work becomes entangled with geopolitical tensions.

The incident serves as a reminder that in the current political climate, artistic collaborations across the India-Pakistan border remain fraught with risk, regardless of the artists’ intentions or the timing of their projects.

Sources: BBC Asian Network, IANS, Connected to India, WION News, DNA India, Bollywood Hungama, India TV News.