Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut and actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh have found themselves on opposite sides of various political debates over the last few years. Recently, Kangana was asked about Diljit’s film Sardaar Ji 3, starring Pakistani actor Hania Aamir, releasing internationally. The decision saw a lot of backlash from Indian cine bodies and Kangana implied that Diljit needs to showcase the “sentiment of nation building.”
In a chat with Times Now, she said, “I have said enough about these people who are… We need to have a sentiment of nation building. Everybody is a stake holder. Why don’t we have that sentiment? Why is one Diljit having his own path? Why are our cricketers having their own friendships?”
She then continued that it is only the soldiers are politicians who are following the path of nationalism. “Bechara sainik (Poor soldier) is having the path of nationalism, bechara politician is having the path of nationalism,” she said and added, “We must try to align everybody and that will only happen when we make people believe that it is not just a politician’s job to chant about patriotism, it is everyone’s job.”
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is also Kangana’s party, supported Diljit shortly after the controversy around Sardaar Ji 3 erupted. BJP national spokesperson R P Singh took to X and called Diljit “not just a celebrated artist… (but) a national asset and a global ambassador of Indian culture.”
Diljit is currently facing a ban from FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) and is apparently not allowed to work in any Indian films. However, the actor is shooting for his next film Border 2, and is also in talks with producers and directors for his upcoming films. The ban was put in place since Diljit’s film included a Pakistani actor. Artistes from across the border were banned from working in India after the Pahalgam attack. Makers of Sardaar Ji 3 argued that their film was shot before the attack and assured that they wouldn’t be working with Pakistani artistes anymore.
