Sardaar Ji 3, released worldwide this weekend, has found itself at the centre of a raging controversy back home. It is patriotism vs creativity. The presence of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir and its release worldwide, including Pakistan, has outraged the online patriots. The film is not being released in India for now, as producers feel that the situation after India-Pak skirmishes is not conducive for the release.
The film is facing online backlash, with both sides digging their heels in. Time and again, creative works are targeted as they are said to hurt the sentiment of a group of people. The decision to ban or not to ban a film lies with a competent authority, the Central Board of Film Certification.
Since the trailer’s release, reactions online have ranged from anger to support. Many questioned the decision to include a Pakistani artist at a time when emotions in the country remain raw following the Pahalgam terror attack. Others labelled the move insensitive. Industry bodies, including the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), have condemned the collaboration and urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to withhold clearance. Some even went a step further, suggesting that Diljit Dosanjh be removed from the upcoming patriotic film, Border 2.
In response, the makers of Sardaar Ji 3, including Diljit, have clarified that the film was completed in February, well before the Pahalgam incident happened. They also stated that the overseas release was necessary to recover production costs. Dosanjh maintains that the situation changed after filming and it was “not in their hands.”
Adding to the complexity, an old 2021 clip of Dosanjh has resurfaced, where he expressed a preference for music over Bollywood. Though unrelated, it has re-emerged in the current climate. Meanwhile, co-star Neeru Bajwa has taken down all promotional content for the film from her social media platforms, a move that many see as distancing herself from the controversy. The reactions to Dosanjh’s post announcing the film reflect a sharply divided audience. His comment section is filled with praise, support, criticism, and disappointment. For some, it’s about artistic freedom. For others, it’s a matter of timing and national emotion.