The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, has sparked widespread outrage and intensified calls for a boycott of Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3 due to his collaboration with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir.
The attack, attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF), a group India links to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has reignited tensions, with social media users and public figures condemning Indian artists working with Pakistani talent.
Diljit Dosanjh, who stars alongside Aamir and Neeru Bajwa in Sardaar Ji 3, set for release on June 27, 2025, has faced significant criticism. Social media platforms, particularly X, have seen hashtags like #BoycottSardaarJi3 trend, with users questioning Dosanjh’s decision to work with Aamir amid the tragedy.
One X user wrote, “While our soldiers and civilians are martyred in attacks like Pahalgam, Bollywood and Punjabi stars like Diljit Dosanjh are doing films with Pakistani actors? #NationFirst”. Another user demanded, “Boycott Diljit Dosanjh and his Sardaarji 3 for collaborating with Hania Aamir. No career is bigger than the nation”.
Controversial figure Kamaal R. Khan (KRK) amplified the backlash on X, stating, “While Pakistani terrorists are killing our innocent people in Kashmir and @diljitdosanjh is doing a film with Pakistani actress #HaniaAamir. So I request you all the people to boycott all the films of #DiljitDosanjh!”.
Some netizens have even called for a broader boycott of Dosanjh’s projects, labeling him a “Khalistani” and accusing him of prioritizing fame over national sentiment.
Hania Aamir Posted on Instagram
Hania Aamir, known for her role in the Pakistani drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, expressed grief over the attack on Instagram Stories, writing, “A tragedy anywhere is a tragedy for all of us. My heart is with the innocent lives affected by the recent events. In pain, in grief, and in hope—we are one”.
Despite her empathetic message, it has been met with skepticism and outrage in India, with users arguing that her participation in Sardaarji 3 is inappropriate given the current climate. One user remarked, “Hania Aamir’s condolences mean nothing when she’s profiting from Indian cinema while tensions rise”.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), representing over 500,000 film workers, has reinforced its 2019 ban on Pakistani artists following the Pahalgam attack, indirectly impacting Sardaarji 3. While the FWICE statement focused on Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal, it emphasized a “blanket boycott” on all Pakistani artists, warning of disciplinary action against Indian collaborators.
This has raised questions about whether Sardaarji 3 will face release hurdles in India, especially in regions like Maharashtra, where the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has historically opposed films featuring Pakistani talent.
Similarly, Fawad Khan’s Bollywood comeback film Abir Gulaal, co-starring Vaani Kapoor and slated for May 9, 2025, has faced boycott calls and opposition from FWICE and MNS. The film’s release is now uncertain as industry bodies vow to block its screening in India.
Dosanjh, who recently announced the wrap of Sardaarji 3 with promotional images on social media, has not publicly addressed the controversy. The film, shot partly in the UK, marks Aamir’s debut in Indian cinema, a move initially celebrated but now mired in geopolitical fallout.
As public anger grows, the Punjabi film industry faces scrutiny, with some users urging a ban on Pakistani actors in regional cinema as well. The fate of Sardaarji 3 remains uncertain, with cinema chains potentially reconsidering screenings to avoid protests, mirroring the challenges faced by Abir Gulaal.
Myself Aditya and I am from Mumbai, India. As an intern, I joined the local news agency in Mumbai named “The Mumbai News”. Now I am working with various News Agencies and I provide them reports from Mumbai and other parts of India.
