The upcoming cross-border comedy Sardaar Ji 3, starring Indian singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, has triggered an intense political and cultural storm in India, with two major film industry bodies — the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) and the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) — threatening an outright boycott.
Read More: Zarf’s Rise: Born From a Lie, Built on Truth, and Backed by 100K Streams
The controversy erupted after both organisations issued strongly-worded statements condemning the film for casting Hania Aamir in the lead, branding the move a “betrayal of national sentiment” amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions. AICWA went as far as calling Hania a “terrorist” and accused Dosanjh of “working with a terrorist country.”
Currently, Sardaar Ji 3 is only set for release in international markets. Producer Gunbir Singh Sidhu clarified that the movie was shot well before the recent Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir — an incident India blames on Pakistan, although Islamabad has denied any involvement and demanded evidence.
Despite that, AICWA lambasted the timing and accused the filmmakers of “disrespecting the sacrifices of Indian soldiers.” The association urged all stakeholders in Bollywood — from producers to music labels and event organisers — to cut professional ties with Dosanjh. It plans to mobilize support across the industry and issue formal letters calling for a total ban.
FWICE, meanwhile, denounced the inclusion of Pakistani talent as “unpatriotic,” adding that Dosanjh’s actions raise “serious questions about his loyalty.” President BN Tiwari warned that any attempt to release the film in India would be blocked, and vowed to ban all future collaborations involving the film’s team.
The outrage has extended beyond industry groups. Ashok Pandit, head of the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association, labelled Dosanjh a “repeat lawbreaker” who has consistently supported Pakistani artists, despite informal bans and ongoing tensions.
This isn’t the first time Bollywood figures have faced backlash for collaborating across borders. Artists like Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam, and Mahira Khan have all come under fire in the past. But the rhetoric around Sardaar Ji 3 appears especially incendiary, marked by nationalistic overtones and public calls for government intervention. FWICE even urged Prime Minister Modi to step in and take “immediate action.”
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, celebrities including Zara Noor Abbas and Anoushey Ashraf have voiced strong support for Hania Aamir, arguing that art must rise above politics and that actors shouldn’t be scapegoated for geopolitical disputes.
Diljit Dosanjh has yet to respond publicly. However, his nonchalant promotion of the film’s trailer on Sunday — featuring Hania as the female lead — suggests he’s unfazed by the backlash.
With the film’s India release still off the table, Sardaar Ji 3 continues to face growing opposition not for its content, but for its cast — caught at the intersection of art and escalating nationalism.
