Diljit Dosanjh is thumbing his nose at Indian government policy and the public with the release of his latest movie Sardaar Ji 3. At a time when the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor is paused and not over, Dilijit chose to release his work with an India-banned Pakistan actress, Hania Aamir.
Bharat still fumes from the needless loss of innocent lives in the Pahalgam terror attack. Consequently, Pakistani artists face increasing bans by the Government and the Artist’s Union for indirectly whitewashing their army’s actions. However, Diljit Dosanjh has managed to walk straight into a controversy with Sardaar Ji 3 featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. Hania refused to condemn Pakistan’s role in the terror attack and played dumb yet patriotic towards her nation. Thus, raising questions about Diljit’s loyalties and the ideological undertones of his film choices.
The Curious Case of Hania Aamir: From Reels to Retorts
Let’s start with the lead actress herself. Indian fans once hailed Hania Aamir for her entertaining reels on Bollywood songs. However, these fans were distraught when she posted a defensive note after the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 Indians.
Instead of denouncing the Pakistani cowardly act of terror, Hania accused India of “politicizing pain” and “assigning blame without proof.”
This wasn’t a slip of the tongue. It was a carefully worded diplomatic denial of the attack and terrorism. Moreover, it was an evasion of responsibility or regret wrapped in moral grandstanding. Hania Aamir played the classic Pakistani defense tactic – condemn the act, but immediately issue a veiled rebuke to India for “blaming Pakistan.” Aamir’s statement was a clear endorsement of her establishment’s disinformation. Her words of condemnation were laced with the ideology of “Victimhood” which has been used for decades to shield Pakistan’s terror infrastructure.
Hania Aamir agrees to posts on Operation Sindoor that term it as an act of “Hindutva Extresmism”. And Diljit Dosanjh still chose to work with the Pakistani actrors like her who hate Bharat and its people. Almost as if Diljit saw no problem giving her the lead role, because its Hindus she hates not Sikhs or Khalistanis!
Sardaar Ji 3: Geo-Blocked in India, Released for Dollars Abroad
If Diljit wanted to troll patriotic sentiment, he’s done it with finesse. Sardaar Ji 3 will not be released in India. Even the trailer is geo-blocked due to the presence of a Pakistani Actress. The movie is strictly for overseas markets where both Indian diaspora and Pakistani audiences contribute to box-office revenue. Coincidence? Not quite.
The move followed a strong backlash from Indian citizens and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) – who asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to ban films featuring Pakistani actors.
Instead of recasting or postponing, the Sardaar Ji 3 team chose the clever route: keep Hania in the film, block the trailer in India, and cash in overseas. The message was clear—“we don’t need Indian approval when we have overseas dollars.”
Diljit Dosanjh: A Pattern of Selective Nationalism
This isn’t a one-time misjudgment by Diljit Dosanjh. He was previously criticized for inviting Hania Aamir on stage during a London concert. This was an insult to the event that took place just days after India lost soldiers in a LoC skirmish. Even then, Diljit didn’t issue a word of condemnation.
Moreover, there have been whispers of him being soft on Khalistani sympathies, especially during the farmers’ protest – when several of his tweets and appearances seemed to pander to pro-Khalistan voices abroad.
While other actors like Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn clearly chose to stay silent or supported Indian forces, Diljit continued to hint that he would soon perform in Pakistan. Thus, indicating dubious partnerships in the global arenas. He chooses to cast himself as a nationalist while critiquing Indian audiences and netizens for censoring his words or actions. This selective nationalism that keeps silent on the Indian crisis while courting Pakistan-friendly audiences abroad isn’t subtle anymore. Instead, it is a deliberate strategy.
Diljit Dosanjh – Stardom Doesn’t Excuse Tone-Deaf Choices
It’s worth noting that Sardaar Ji 3 also stars other Pakistani actors—Nasir Chinyoti, Daniel Khawar, and Saleem Albela. And not one Indian co-star, producer, or distributor objected publicly. Is it ignorance or silent complicity? The film’s trailer, while unavailable in India, continues to garner views overseas.
Unlike the industry’s stand on Gaza or Ukraine, there has been no wave of support for Indian soldiers killed in Operation Sindoor or Pahalgam.
Bollywood celebrities were quiet on Pakistan’s acts of terrorism and Diljit’s acts of belligerence. Diljit Dosanjh is not just a singer-actor – he is a man with global influence. And yet, he continues his strategic silence and subtle endorsement of narratives that hurt India.
Whether intentional or opportunistic – the release of Sarddar Ji 3 with the double intent caption implying “Do Your Worst” – isn’t just poor optics, it’s dangerous.
While Hania Aamir echoes Pakistan’s army narratives and Diljit Dosanjh chooses silence. To him and his producers, the profits matter more than national pride. Hence, they not only celebrate a Pakistani star. The least the Indian audience can ask is: Who are we really supporting when we buy those overseas movie tickets?