Punjabi comedy-thriller Sardaar Ji 3—set to hit overseas screens on June 27, excluding India—has ignited a fierce debate after casting Pakistani star Hania Aamir in a key role.
THE NEWS DOSE DESK
Chandigarh|June 26, UPDATED:5.40PM
Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming Punjabi comedy-thriller Sardaar Ji 3—set to hit overseas screens on June 27, excluding India—has ignited a fierce debate after casting Pakistani star Hania Aamir in a key role.
Sardaar Ji 3—directed by Amar Hundal and co-starring Neeru Bajwa, Jasmin Bajwa, Gulshan Grover, and Nasir Chinyoti—is scheduled for an overseas launch on June 27, 2025. It will not release in India due to political sensitivities and industry boycott pressure. The decision, made prior to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, has stirred strong backlash from both public and industry bodies
Strong Public Outrage & Boycott Campaigns
Following the terror attack—claimed by TRF, a Lashkar e Taiba offshoot—social media surged with anger at cross-border collaborations. Hashtags like #BoycottSardaarJi3 trended, and online critics denounced Diljit as “opportunist” for featuring a Pakistani actress during this sensitive period
One vocal Reddit contributor wrote
“He is a major traitor for casting Hania Aamir, fully aware of her stance and loyalty” The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) formally urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to refuse certification for Sardaar Ji 3, citing national directives against featuring Pakistani artists Even the BJP Chitrapat Kamgar Aghaadi demanded a ban, referencing both the casting and alleged anti-India statements by certain Pakistani public figures.
Calls for Recuts, Apologies & Star Pull-out
Singer Mika Singh publicly appealed to Diljit to apologize and excise “objectionable scenes” featuring Hania, saying that such moves would facilitate public reconciliation On X (formerly Twitter), voices emerged urging producers of Border 2 to remove Diljit from the patriotic film, claiming his association was incompatible with its theme
Did Hania Aamir Get Dropped?
Post-attack rumors suggested that Hania’s scenes might have been cut or reshot with another actress. While reports from outlets like Filmfare, HT City, and Indulge Express confirmed filming had concluded in the UK and speculated on possible edits, no official statement has been released by the Sardaar Ji 3 team
International Spotlight Ignites Academic Interest
Despite domestic turmoil, Sardaar Ji 3 has underscored Diljit’s global stature. Toronto Metropolitan University recently announced an academic course dedicated to his cinematic and cultural contributions, set to debut in late 2026—the first of its kind for a Punjabi artist in Canada.