‘Nation First’: Diljit Dosanjh Trolled Over Working With Pakistani Actor Hania Aamir
In the wake of escalated tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh is facing intense online criticism for including Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the trailer of his upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3, released overseas on June 27.
The trailer, unveiled on June 23, prominently features Aamir as the female lead alongside Dosanjh. Netizens accused him of being unpatriotic, with comments such as:
“Never spoke a word during the war…now we know why…I liked him, but the opinion is now changing highly.”
“Honestly, I don’t think Diljit holds any affinity and love towards India…But I hope now at least the border makers will remove him from a film based on the life of our army.”.
On Reddit, voices sharpen: “He doesn’t care. Any publicity is good publicity for artists,” while others claim, “People will talk about it for a week…then move on.” Yet, some warn, “He’s going to be blamed for the rest of his life by patriots”.
The controversy extends beyond social media. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to withhold the film’s certification due to Aamir’s presence, warning of potential professional repercussions for Dosanjh.
Sardaar Ji 3, a paranormal comedy co-starring Manav Vij, Gulshan Grover, and others, reportedly won’t see an Indian theatrical release, with distribution limited to overseas markets due to the mounting backlash .
Critics and supporters remain split. Amid calls for boycott, Indian cine enthusiasts and diaspora fans anticipate the overseas premiere. The debate illuminates the entertainment industry’s struggle to separate art from geopolitics.
