Diljit Dosanjh and Hania Amir’s upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3 is facing controversy ahead of its global release. The Sardaar Ji 3 release date is confirmed as June 27, 2025, but the film will not be screened in India following public backlash and industry restrictions.
The collaboration between Diljit Dosanjh, Hania Amir sparked criticism after the trailer launched. Social media users raised concerns over casting a Pakistani actress amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in April 2025. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) reinforced its 2019 ban on Pakistani artists, discouraging Indian actors from working with Pakistani talent.
The backlash intensified online with trending hashtags and demands for Diljit’s removal from other Indian patriotic projects like Border 2. Several users labeled the film insensitive, especially considering the current India-Pakistan relations. Critics on platforms like Reddit questioned the timing and motives behind Hania Amir’s casting, calling it a PR move.
Hania Amir’s participation has also drawn criticism in Pakistan, where veteran actress Nadia Khan expressed doubt over Pakistani artists pursuing Indian projects.
Sardaar Ji 3 will release internationally on June 27, 2025, but without a theatrical release in India. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has not cleared the film for Indian distribution. The ongoing reaction raises questions about future collaborations between Indian and Pakistani artists in the entertainment industry.
