Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh is currently facing criticism for casting Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, leaving fans shocked. On Sunday, June 22, the Lover singer unveiled the trailer, revealing that the film will not be released in India due to ongoing tensions between the two countries and will instead premiere overseas.
Soon after, several netizens slammed Diljit over Hania’s casting, calling him 'insensitive' and 'shameless' in light of her alleged anti-India remarks following Operation Sindoor.
Reacting to the backlash over Hania's casting, Sardaar Ji 3 Gunbir Singh Sidhu's producer told India Today, "The film was shot before the conflict with Pakistan. Keeping sentiments on Indian in mind, no India release for the movie."
The trailer of Sardaar Ji 3 is unavailable on YouTube India. "The uploader has not made this video available in your country," reads the message.
On June 11, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to withhold certification of Sardaar Ji 3 due to the inclusion of Pakistani artistes. In addition to Hania Aamir, the cast also features Pakistani actors Nasir Chinyoti, Daniel Khawar, and Saleem Albela. As a result, it appears the makers opted to skip a theatrical release in India and release the film only overseas to avoid further complications.
Hania's Instagram account has also been blocked in India following the terror attack in Pahalgam and the resulting escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan.
She also made anti-India remarks following India's Operation Sindoor — a mission launched on May 7, during which nine terror launch pads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) were targeted in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack.
