‘Sardaar Ji 3’ Makers Defend Casting Hania Aamir with Diljit Dosanjh: ‘Shot Well Before Current Situation’

‘Sardaar Ji 3’ Makers Defend Casting Hania Aamir with Diljit Dosanjh: Singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh has found support from his former manager, Sonali Singh, after facing strong criticism for casting Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his upcoming film ‘Sardaar Ji 3’. While some people on social media are upset with his choice, Sonali has spoken out, calling the backlash “disheartening and unfair”. She praised Diljit for always spreading “love, unity, and kindness” and urged people to stop targeting him.

The controversy erupted amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, prompting outrage on social media over Hania’s inclusion in the film. Many users called for a ban, while others questioned the decision to work with a Pakistani artist during such a sensitive time.

“This is to bring to everyone’s kind notice that the film named, Sardaarji 3, was shot well before the prevailing situation that our country is facing now and it was never ever the case that any Pakistani artist was signed or was engaged after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam," read the statement posted on the social media handles.

Also Read: Jaideep Ahlawat Says Ranbir Kapoor May Not Reach Shah Rukh Khan’s Heights: ‘Sirf Talent Ke Naam Pe…’

The note further read, “We stand united with our country and our fellow countrymen during this sensitive time. Considering the same, we had decided not to release the film or any of its promotional content in India until the situation becomes opportune".

The note sparked a mixed reaction in the comment section, with some social media users praising the filmmakers for not releasing the film, while others criticised them for not editing out Hania's role instead.

Diljit Dosanjh, who happens to be one of the producers of the film, told BBC Asian Network that the situation is no longer in their hands as the producers' money has been invested.

"Jab yeh film bani thi tab situation sab theek tha. We shot this in Feb and then everything was fine. Uske baad, bohut saari badi cheezein humare haath mein nahi hain. Toh producers ne decide kiya ki film obviously ab India mein toh nahi lagegi, toh overseas release karte hain. Toh producers ka bohut paisa laga hua hain aur jab yeh film bann rahi thi tab aisa kuch tha nahi. (When this film was made, everything was fine. We shot it in February and things were okay back then. After that, a lot of things happened that were beyond our control. So the producers decided that they can't release the film in India now, so they'll release it overseas. The producers have invested a lot of money, and when the film was being made, the situation was totally different)," said Diljit.

Also Read: India Welcomes Iran‑Israel Ceasefire, Reaffirms Concern for Regional Stability

The teaser of Sardaar Ji 3 was released in India a couple of months ago, and it didn't feature Hania Aamir, though there was a strong buzz over the actor's involvement in the film. The makers didn't disclose Hania Aamir's presence in the film before the trailer was released (June 22).

Fawad Khan's comeback Hindi film Abir Gulaal couldn't release in India due to the political tensions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.

The makers of Sardaar Ji 3 skipped the film's India release and decided to release it overseas only on June 27.

The controversy comes in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, followed by India's Operation Sindoor on May 7, in which air strikes were carried out on terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The escalated tension revived the calls to boycott Pakistani actors, and the release of Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor's film Abir Gulaal was subsequently stalled. Several Pakistani artists, including Hania Aamir, had their social media accounts made no longer accessible in India.

Also Read: Esha Gupta Finally Confirms Talking to Hardik Pandya, But Says It Never Got Serious