Diljit Dosanjh Sardaar ji 3 Controversy: Diljit Dosanjh has become a target of severe backlash for his decision of going ahead with the release of his horror-comedy film Sardaar Ji 3, starring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. His decision has received strong reactions from his fans, fellow artistes as well as the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees, who have demanded his removal from JP Dutta’s Border 2. The federation has also requested the censor board to withhold certification of Sardaar Ji 3.
Now, his former manager Sonali Singh has shared a long note defending the singer and sharing that “Sardaar Ji 3 is not a film backed by a giant corporate house that can absorb the blow of the massive losses. This is someone’s life’s earning and it’s at risk of being wiped out entirely.”
In her statement, Sonali wrote, “In a career spanning over two decades, Diljit Dosanjh has become a cultural icon not only for India but for the global stage. Yet, time and again, he has been placed under the scanner especially as a proud Sikh, a Punjabi, and an artist who has chosen to represent India with quiet pride rather than loud declarations. Diljit is the same man who was addressed by the Honourable Prime Minister as “Bharat ke gaon ka beta” a recognition that he truly represents.”
She added, “What hurts the most is on one hand, the global media celebrates him as the first Indian to perform at Coachella, to appear on Jimmy Fallon carrying his traditional identify, to walk the Met Gala carrying his culture and roots. And every single time, he proudly carries India with him. But, on the other hand, in his own country, how quickly we forget. How conveniently we celebrate him when he puts India on the map, and how easily we trash him when the narrative turns. Does anyone think this doesn’t break his heart?”
‘Diljit Dosanjh has been an ambassador of India’
“(He) chose to stand by his producers not to protect himself, but to protect the families behind the film. These weren’t giant corporations. These were people from his own country who had poured their lifetime’s savings and dreams into Sardaar Ji. Despite the backlash he’s facing, Diljit chose to shoulder the burden with them, not leaving them to take the fall alone. He stood in solidarity not for profit, but for people.”
She also reminded how Diljit is also struggling with another film that has nothing to do with any actor from Pakistan.
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“Let’s not forget he is already standing beside another producer, who has been fighting for two years to release a film that has no Pakistani cast member a deeply important story: Jaswant Singh Khaira.”
Among many things, Sonali added at the end of her note, “In every sense, Diljit Dosanjh has been an ambassador of India not through propaganda, but through spirit, his art, his love. And yet, each time, he’s asked to prove the love he’s already shown so consistently. This cycle must end.”
Sonali’s statement came after FWICE’s demand of removing the actor from Border 2.
Cine body asks Border 2 makers to drop Diljit
In a letter to the film’s producers Bhushan Kumar, JP Dutta and filmmaker Anurag Singh, FWICE stated, “The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), representing the core workforce of the Indian film and television industry, is deeply disappointed and concerned by the casting of actor-singer Mr Diljit Dosanjh in your upcoming film Border 2 produced under the banner of JP Films in collaboration with T-Series and directed by Mr Anurag Singh.”
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Calling the casting decision “blatant violation” of “FWICE’s official directive to boycott Mr Diljit Dosanjh, which was issued after his unpatriotic act of working with a Pakistani actress, Ms Hania Aamir, in the film Sardaar Ji 3.”
It further read, “By choosing to collaborate with an artist who has so brazenly ignored the ongoing tensions and national sentiment, your production has directly undermined the stand taken by the Indian film industry in solidarity with the nation.”
Calling his Border 2 casting “disturbing”, FWICE said, “This not only defeats the spirit of the film but also sends a disheartening message to ever Indian.” Previously, FWICE wrote letters to Prime Minister of India, the Home Minister, the Minister of External Affairs, and the Minister of Information and Broadcasting to take strict action against Diljit Dosanjh and the producers of Sardaar Ji 3.
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On June 23, the federation condemned the actor-singer for casting Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3.
Diljit Dosanjh reacts to hate against Sardaar Ji 3
In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Diljit Dosanjh shared, “When the film was made, the situation was fine. This film was shot in February. A lot of things happened after that which are not in our control. When it (Pahalgam attack) happened, the producers knew that they can’t release this film in India anymore. But, they decided to release it overseas as they have invested a lot of money in the film. They will still incur loss because they are removing an entire territory.”
He added, “The truth is when I signed the film, the situation was just fine. Now, when the producers want to release it overseas, I will have to stand with them and support their decision.”
