The teaser drop of Sardaar Ji 3—featuring Diljit Dosanjh—has generated an intense wave of backlash online, with internet users expressing fury over the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir. The horror-comedy, which follows the ghost-hunting escapades of Dosanjh’s character in a haunted UK mansion, is now at the center of a political and cultural firestorm. The film, helmed by Amar Hundal, is slated for release on June 27, but notably, it will not hit theatres in India.
The decision to skip an Indian release comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, which reignited tensions between India and Pakistan. According to the filmmakers, including producer Gunbir Singh Sidhu, the movie was shot before the conflict. He clarified, “Keeping sentiments on Indian in mind, no India release for the movie.” Still, this explanation hasn’t soothed public outrage.
Internet users have labeled Diljit Dosanjh as “shameless” and “disrespectful,” accusing him of showing allegiance to only one state while enjoying pan-India success. One user wrote, “Disgusted by him. All the allegations against him being a separatist seem true.” Another added, “He never spoke during the war—now we know why. I used to like him, but that’s changing fast.” Several users questioned how he could remain silent during Operation Sindoor and yet collaborate with a Pakistani actress alleged to have made anti-India remarks.
To make matters worse, the trailer for Sardaar Ji 3 is geo-blocked in India, with a message stating, “The uploader has not made this video available in your country.” This digital wall only intensified netizens’ claims of a deliberate snub. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) even urged the CBFC to deny certification for the film due to its inclusion of Pakistani artists like Nasir Chinyoti, Daniel Khawar, and Saleem Albela.
Outrage reached a boiling point with hashtags like #BoycottDiljit and #TakeDiljitOutOfBorder2 trending. Some went so far as to sarcastically say, “Just give Hania Indian citizenship already—the way she craves popularity here says it all.”
What was intended as a fun horror-comedy now stands engulfed in controversy. For Sardaar Ji 3, the ghost haunting the mansion may be fictional—but the ghost of public sentiment is very real, and it’s knocking loudly at Diljit Dosanjh’s door.
Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Pahalgam Attack and It’s Repercussion in Pakistan and India
