Diljit Dosanjh found himself at the center of controversy after casting Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3.
Diljit Dosanjh has recently found himself at the heart of a major controversy following the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his latest film, Sardaarji 3. While the film skipped an Indian release and premiered only in overseas markets, the move sparked backlash from several Indian film bodies. Prominent organizations like the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) strongly condemned the decision, calling it “insensitive” in the current geopolitical climate.
In response, both associations have called for a complete ban on Diljit Dosanjh’s professional activities within India, urging the film fraternity to take a firm stand. The situation continues to evolve, drawing reactions across the industry, as debates intensify over creative freedom, nationalism, and cross-border collaborations in Indian cinema.
At the trailer launch event of his upcoming film Son of Sardaar 2 in Mumbai, Ajay Devgn finally weighed in on the controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh and the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3. Amid growing outrage from film bodies and social media users, Ajay opted for a calm, balanced take — one that calls for conversation over condemnation.
Addressing the media, Ajay said
I don’t know where the trolling comes from, what is right or what is wrong. I’m not in his shoes to judge. He must be facing his own set of challenges. People speaking out must also be doing so from their own perspective. I believe such differences should be sorted through discussion. I’m not here to blame anyone or pick sides. This needs a conversation, not conflict.
His neutral response comes after several film industry groups demanded a complete ban on Diljit’s professional activities in India, following the appearance of Hania Aamir in the film’s trailer. The movie, notably, was released only overseas and was geo-blocked in India.
Earlier, Diljit had addressed the controversy, stating that Sardaar Ji 3 was wrapped up long before the recent rise in India-Pakistan tensions, making the backlash feel disconnected from the project timeline. Ajay level-headed approach offers a refreshing perspective one that encourages dialogue and empathy over outrage.
In a recent interview with BBC, Diljit Dosanjh opened up about the controversy surrounding Sardaar Ji 3 and the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. Addressing the backlash, Diljit clarified the timeline and intent behind the project, emphasizing that the situation was entirely different when the film was shot.
“Jab yeh film bani thi tab situation sab theek tha,” Diljit explained. “We shot this in February and at that time, everything was fine. After that, a lot of major things happened that were beyond our control. So the producers decided that the film obviously won’t release in India anymore, and they opted for an overseas release instead.” He further added, “The producers have invested a lot of money. When the film was being made, there was no such issue. Now, the situation is not in our hands. So if the producers want to release it abroad, I support them.”
Amidst heightened national emotions following the Pahalgam terror attack, the film’s geo-blocking in India and overseas-only release sparked fierce debates. While some industry voices are demanding accountability, others, like Ajay Devgn, are calling for open conversation instead of condemnation.
This situation once again raises a complex question for the entertainment industry: Should creative collaborations be separated from geopolitics, or do they inevitably reflect the national mood? As the discussion continues, Diljit’s statement offers some much-needed context, reminding audiences that not all decisions are made in the heat of the moment.