Diljit Dosanjh Caught in Storm Over Pakistani Co-Star as Boycott Calls Escalate

Indian film unions lash out after trailer reveals Pakistani actor in lead role opposite Dosanjh

Diljit Dosanjh, one of India’s most beloved entertainers, finds himself at the center of a firestorm after casting a Pakistani actress in his upcoming film. The backlash is growing louder, and it’s no longer just about a movie—it’s about patriotism, politics, and how blurred the lines between art and nationalism have become.

The trailer for Sardaar Ji 3 dropped on June 22, and what should’ve been a moment of celebration quickly turned sour.

A Horror Comedy Sparks a Real-Life Horror

Dosanjh’s third outing as the quirky ghostbuster Jaggi was meant to be fun. But the appearance of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the teaser flipped the script.

Two major Indian film labor unions—Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA)—issued statements condemning the collaboration. They’re calling for a boycott of the film, a ban on Dosanjh’s work in India, and shockingly, even the revocation of his Indian citizenship.

Yep, you read that right.

The demand isn’t just about banning the film. It’s a full-on personal takedown.

Post-Kashmir Attack Sentiments Fuel the Outrage

The timing of the trailer’s release couldn’t have been worse.

On April 22, 2025, a deadly terror attack in Kashmir claimed the lives of 26 civilians—India’s worst in decades. The grief is raw, and the political temperature is ice-hot. Social media accounts of several Pakistani entertainers, including Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and Ali Zafar, were swiftly blocked in India after the incident. Hania Aamir’s name was on that list too.

So, when she showed up in Sardaar Ji 3, there was no escaping the fallout.

“It’s disrespectful to the families who lost loved ones,” an FWICE spokesperson said. “We’re not just talking about actors. This is about national sentiment.”

One sentence, but it stings.

The Call to Cancel: Nationalism or Noise?

This isn’t the first time Indian film unions have protested Indo-Pak collaborations. Remember when Karan Johar had to publicly promise not to cast Pakistani actors again after Ae Dil Hai Mushkil? That was in 2016. The tension has only worsened since.

But what makes this different is the personal tone of the protest. Demanding that an Indian citizen—let alone someone with Dosanjh’s popularity—be stripped of their nationality? That’s not standard fare.

Here’s what makes the whole episode even murkier:

• Sardaar Ji 3 isn’t funded by a Pakistani studio.

• Aamir’s scenes were reportedly shot overseas, not in India.

• There’s no official statement yet from the Indian Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

So, does this really count as breaking any law? Or is it just breaking an unwritten code?

Dosanjh’s Silence: Strategic or Risky?

Dosanjh hasn’t issued a statement yet. No tweets. No Instagram clarifications. Not even a “wait for the film, guys.”

Which is odd, considering he’s usually vocal and witty online.

Some fans say he’s being smart—waiting for the dust to settle. Others think he’s inviting more trouble by not addressing it early. The online chatter is split down the middle.

There’s a chance he’s just stunned by the intensity of the reaction.

Where the Industry Stands

Interestingly, there’s been little noise from Bollywood’s biggest names. No public support, no condemnation—just silence. Possibly out of fear of being dragged into the crossfire.

One mid-level producer who didn’t want to be named said, “It’s sad. Everyone’s afraid. We can’t speak out because it becomes political immediately.”

That silence speaks volumes.

Still, a few independent filmmakers and voices from the Punjabi industry have cautiously backed Dosanjh, emphasizing the need to separate art from politics. But those voices are being drowned out in the cacophony of nationalism.

A Legal or Emotional Debate?

For now, no legal action has been initiated against Dosanjh. Indian law doesn’t forbid casting Pakistani actors, although unofficial bans exist, mostly enforced by industry groups rather than the government.

But the bigger question is: Should an artist’s creative choices be tied to geopolitical events?

“If Diljit broke no law, what’s the point of all this outrage?” a law student from Delhi asked on X (formerly Twitter). “Are we saying actors must seek political clearance before casting?”

It’s a good question.

Here’s a quick snapshot of other high-profile Indo-Pak artistic flashpoints in recent years:

As you can see, there’s no consistency—just outrage cycles that flare up, fade out, and return again.

What Lies Ahead for Sardaar Ji 3?

For now, the film is still slated to release next month. Promotions are on hold, but theater chains haven’t pulled the film yet. That could change overnight.

It all depends on whether this backlash gets political traction or fizzles out like other media storms.

But the damage to Dosanjh’s image—especially with right-wing audiences—might take longer to mend.

At a time when art is expected to toe invisible political lines, Sardaar Ji 3 may turn into more than a horror-comedy. It may be a test case for what kind of patriotism the entertainment industry is allowed to express—and who gets to define it.