Diljit Dosanjh’s Role in Border 2 Unaffected by Sardaar Ji 3 Backlash? Here's the Latest

Diljit Dosanjh’s Role in Border 2 Unaffected by Sardaar Ji 3 Backlash? Here's the Latest

Diljit Dosanjh has been at the center of controversy and daily headlines ever since the release of Sardaar Ji 3, which stars him alongside Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. The film’s overseas release has triggered backlash in India, especially in the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.

The release comes just two months after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The attack led India to take a series of punitive diplomatic actions against Pakistan, eventually launching Operation Sindoor—a strategic military strike targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Hania Aamir had publicly condemned India’s military action, calling it cowardly—a statement that hurt the sentiments of many Indian fans. Until then, she enjoyed a substantial following in India. Following her remarks, India reportedly banned the social media accounts of several Pakistani celebrities, including hers.

Now, the release of Sardaar Ji 3, featuring both Hania and Diljit, has sparked a wave of online backlash against the Indian singer-actor, with calls for his "cancellation." However, many of his fans continue to support him, pointing out that
However, some of his fans still support him, saying that first, the film was shot before the April 22 terrorist attack on innocent civilians; second, he has no control over the film’s release; and third, the film was released overseas in respect of the nation's sentiment.
Meanwhile, there are fans who want to cancel him and have even called him a ‘Khalistani.’

Diljit Not Being Replaced in Border 2
To the relief of his supporters, the makers of Border 2 currently have no plans to replace Diljit Dosanjh in the film. According to a report by Hindustan Times, a highly-placed source close to the production confirmed:
“There is no plan to replace or remove Diljit from Border 2. His casting was confirmed nearly nine months ago, long before the recent unfortunate incidents. Nearly half the film has already been shot, and any replacement at this stage would be logistically unfeasible.”

FWICE’s Formal Objection
Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has formally addressed letters to co-producer Bhushan Kumar and lead actor Sunny Deol, urging them to cut ties with Diljit Dosanjh. The letter was sent on June 25.

In a surprising move, FWICE also wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, appealing for the withdrawal of filming permissions granted to the Border 2 team at the National Defence Academy (NDA).
Industry Reactions

Meanwhile, Neeru Bajwa, Diljit’s co-star in Sardaar Ji 3, deleted all promotional content related to the film from her Instagram account on Thursday, suggesting she may be distancing herself from the controversy.
Joining the criticism, singer Mika Singh publicly opposed the film’s overseas release, citing the casting of Hania Aamir as problematic.

Additionally, singer Guru Randhawa posted a cryptic message in Punjabi, “Lakh pardesi hoyieee, Apna desh nhi bhandi daa. Jehre mulk da khayie, us da bura nhi mangi da. (No matter how many foreigners there are, nothing compares to your own country. One must never wish ill for the land that feeds them.)”

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