Sardaar Ji 3 (134 minutes; Punjabi), directed by Amar Hundal and produced by White Hill Studios alongside Diljit Dosanjh, crowns the “ghost-hunter” trilogy, bringing back Diljit Dosanjh as Jaggi and Neeru Bajwa, with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir apparently replacing a prominent female lead role. Scheduled for June 27, 2025, but India was purposefully omitted owing to rising India-Pakistan tensions.
The Rising Tensions: Backdrop, FWICE Ban
In late April 2025, a terror incident in Pahalgam killed 26 visitors and was ascribed to Pakistan-linked extremists. FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) launched a broad request to prohibit Pakistani artists, citing their 2019 boycott edict and urged the CBFC not to screen any films involving Pakistani talent. Several Pakistani-led productions, like Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal, encountered Indian release hurdles or potential bans.
Rumours circulated that Hania Aamir had been dismissed from Sardaar Ji 3, maybe to reshoot her sequences with another local actress. However, as of June 2025, her appearance in the teaser reveals she remains part of the film.
The Public Reaction After a Social Media Post
Diljeet Dosanjh with Hania’s casting announced in the teaser, backlash erupted. X/Twitter hashtags such as #BoycottSardaarJi3gained popularity. Some called Diljit an “opportunist,” accusing him of putting money ahead of national emotion, especially considering his quiet following the incident.
One X user wrote this: “While our soldiers and people are killed, Bollywood and Punjabi stars like Diljit Dosanjh are making films with Pakistani actors? #NationFirst”
Another user requested: “Boycott Diljit Dosanjh and Sardaarji 3 for their collaboration with Hania Aamir. No profession is larger than the nation.
KRK (Kamaal R Khan) also joined in, calling for a boycott. Reddit debates echoed this, with some seeking Diljit’s removal from Border 2 (a more nationalistic film), while others showed scepticism about PR objectives.
The Cross Border Public Reaction
Pakistani side: Some Pakistani users cheered news of Hania’s impending expulsion, viewing it as a defence of national pride. Balancing voices: Others claimed that politics should not harm talent and that individual artists are not to blame for global turmoil. Nadia Khan, an Indian analyst, criticised Hania for “wasting time” forging ties amid escalating tensions.
The Cryptic Social Media Post By Diljit
During the storm, Diljit released a mysterious post alongside the Sardaar Ji 3 trailer: “Sardaar Ji 3 will be released overseas only on June 27th. FADH LAO BHOOND, DIAN LATTAN.” This approximately translates to “Get ready for a big kick overseas.” This unclear message has stirred curiosity. 1. Defying distance from India, knowing that liberation is only possible overseas. 2. Mockery: a playful swipe at reviewers and the boycott drama.
Ambiguity, maybe implying additional drama, recalls the film’s supernatural-comedy tone. He has not offered a formal remark about the casting dispute or the furious boycott calls. The post’s aggressive tone might be interpreted as playing up to his fan base overseas, where the film will debut, while grabbing headlines in India.
The Drama For Certification And Censorship
FWICE addressed the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification), requesting them to reject approval on nationalistic grounds. As a result, the picture has been placed on a type of soft blacklist, with no Indian cinema distribution scheduled. The sole opportunities for Indian screenings may be through internet channels or festival entry permission.
Pending CBFC, It’s uncommon for a famous Punjabi entertainer to completely ignore domestic cinemas, illustrating how seriously the industry takes this cross-border friction.
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The Conclusion
Diljit Dosanjh’s enigmatic, tongue-in-cheek declaration, as well as his choice to continue with Hania Aamir despite local backlash, point to a purposeful shift: ignore critics, focus overseas, and generate publicity. But this gamble cuts both ways.
He may strengthen his worldwide pop-star reputation by winning abroad areas where the film will play and silencing naysayers through box-office success.
As Sardaar Ji 3 travels abroad on June 27, what happens next will test whether art can transcend contentious politics or whether compromises to national feeling limit creative bounds in this area.
Written by Nilesh Shiv