Diljit Dosanjh, one of India’s most internationally recognised entertainers, is at the centre of a growing controversy after his collaboration with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3.

The backlash has escalated to the point where the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has issued a public boycott and demanded his removal from Border 2, a high-profile war drama under production.

From global icon to domestic controversy

Diljit has enjoyed immense popularity over the years — from being the first Indian to perform at Coachella, to gracing international stages like The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and the Met Gala. Prime Minister Narendra Modi once referred to him as “Bharat ke gaon ka beta,” recognising his grassroots connect and cultural pride.

However, the tone has shifted dramatically since the announcement of Sardaar Ji 3, a horror-comedy that features Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in a supporting role. The project, shot before the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, has drawn sharp criticism from nationalist quarters in India.

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FWICE steps in: Boycott and demands to cancel Border 2

In a strongly worded letter, FWICE criticised the casting of Diljit in Border 2, calling it a “blatant violation” of their directive to boycott him for his “unpatriotic act.” The union also wrote to the producers of Border 2 — Bhushan Kumar, JP Dutta, and director Anurag Singh — urging them to reconsider Diljit’s involvement, especially as the film is themed around Indian military heroism.

FWICE further demanded that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) withhold certification for Sardaar Ji 3. A non-cooperation directive has been issued instructing all affiliated film associations to stop working with Diljit unless he publicly apologises and distances himself from the project.

Hania Aamir responds to viral fake quote and Pahalgam attack

Adding to the tension, a fabricated quote attributed to Hania Aamir — suggesting she would appeal to Prime Minister Modi to lift social media restrictions on Pakistani artists — went viral. Hania denied the statement and issued a public clarification.

“My heart goes out to the innocent lives lost... but the actions of extremists do not represent an entire nation,” she wrote. She urged people to avoid assigning blame without proof and encouraged empathy and responsible social media sharing.

Her statement followed a wave of restrictions imposed by Indian authorities on Pakistani content creators on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

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Diljit breaks silence: ‘The film was shot before the attack’

In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Diljit Dosanjh clarified that Sardaar Ji 3 was shot in February 2025, before the Pahalgam attack occurred. He admitted that the producers have since decided not to release the film in India, recognising the national sentiment.

“When the producers want to release it overseas, I will have to stand with them,” he said, adding that his support is not for profit, but for people who have risked their entire life’s savings on the film.

Former manager defends Diljit

Diljit’s former manager, Sonali Singh, released a statement defending his integrity and professional choices. She reminded the public of his consistent representation of Indian culture on the world stage and said it was unfair that the same country that once celebrated him now turned against him so easily.

“He has always stood for India — not through loud nationalism, but through authenticity, art and love,” she said, also highlighting that Diljit is supporting another Indian film project unrelated to Pakistan that has been struggling to get released.

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Public opinion remains divided

The controversy has divided the public and film fraternity. While FWICE and some voices have called for a complete boycott, others argue that punishing an artist for a project made prior to a terror attack is unjustified. The core debate now centres on national sentiment versus artistic freedom and cross-border collaboration in art.

As of now, Sardaar Ji 3 will not release in India, but may still screen overseas. Diljit remains officially boycotted by FWICE, with further decisions pending on his role in Border 2.

In today's hyper-charged climate, public opinion can flip in an instant — once hailed as a cultural icon who proudly carried India onto global stages like Coachella and the Met Gala, Diljit Dosanjh now finds himself vilified by the same audiences, as outrage over a pre-shot film with a Pakistani actress spirals into demands for boycotts, bans, and blacklisting, proving how quickly admiration can dissolve into condemnation with just a shift in sentiment.