Indian Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh has spoken out regarding the backlash his film Sardaar Ji 3 is facing in India due to the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. Despite initial excitement surrounding the cross-border collaboration, the film will not be screened in India following strong opposition from key industry bodies.

The Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) and the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) publicly condemned the involvement of a Pakistani artist in the Indian production. As tensions between the two nations have escalated recently, the casting has drawn political and cultural criticism.

“When we shot the film, things were calm,” Diljit explained in an interview with BBC Asian Network. “It was February, and there was no conflict at that time. What’s happening now is out of our hands.” The singer-actor clarified that the film’s overseas release will proceed as planned, while Indian distribution has been halted by the producers in response to the controversy.

The backlash comes in the wake of a brief but intense military clash between India and Pakistan this May. Reports claimed that the Pakistan Air Force brought down six Indian fighter jets in retaliation to cross-border strikes, significantly escalating regional tensions.

Despite the political uproar, Diljit praised Hania Aamir for her professionalism during filming. Though their on-screen interactions were limited, he described her as committed and easy to work with. Their collaboration was first hinted at when Hania appeared at one of Diljit’s London concerts, sparking fan speculation about a joint project — which was later confirmed with the announcement of Sardaar Ji 3.

Unfortunately, Sardaar Ji 3 is the latest casualty in a string of cross-border projects affected by India-Pakistan relations. Pakistani actors such as Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and Mawra Hocane have also faced setbacks, including stalled releases and erasure from promotional materials.

Producers of Sardaar Ji 3 now face financial losses, as they had invested heavily in the film at a time when political conditions were more favorable. Still, Dosanjh remains hopeful that the film’s international audience will appreciate the effort and artistry behind it.