New Delhi : Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has come under sharp criticism for his collaboration with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3. Amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, several social media users, members of the Indian music industry, and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) have voiced disapproval of the casting choice.
In response, Diljit’s manager Sonali Singh shared a detailed note on Instagram titled “Always choosing love over hate”, calling the backlash “disheartening and unfair.”
“The film was shot long before the current political climate intensified,” wrote Singh, urging critics to consider the context and timing of the project. She noted that the film, funded by the producers’ personal life savings, now faces significant financial risk due to calls to block its Indian release.
The production house White Hill Studios also issued a statement earlier clarifying that Sardaar Ji 3 was completed before current geopolitical tensions escalated. On Tuesday, the studio announced that the film would not be released or promoted in India until conditions are more favorable.
Singh stated that Dosanjh made the difficult decision out of respect for public sentiment and national authorities, even though it comes at a personal and professional cost.
“Diljit has chosen to honour the nation’s current mood. This isn’t just about one actor, but about an entire ecosystem of regional filmmakers and creators who are now at risk,” she emphasized.
Singh also criticized the “hypocrisy” of celebrating Diljit’s international success while questioning his patriotism.
“When he performs at Coachella, walks the Met Gala, or appears on Jimmy Fallon with his culture intact, the world praises him. Yet, in India, we are quick to tear him down,” she said.
Meanwhile, Diljit himself posted a cryptic Instagram story, possibly referencing his delayed film Punjab 95, writing: “Censored before release?”
Sardaar Ji 3, a horror-comedy sequel, is now scheduled for an overseas-only release on June 27. Its trailer is currently not available on YouTube India, but Diljit has shared it via his Instagram account.