The strained relationship between India and Pakistan took a turn for the worse after the horrific Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which left 26 civilians dead in Jammu and Kashmir. The brutal nature of the assault triggered outrage across the country, leading to escalated hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. In a swift military response, the Indian armed forces carried out a calculated offensive against militant strongholds located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7, under a secretive military operation named ' Operation Sindoor.'
While the military confrontation stirred political tensions, its aftershocks quickly spilled over into the entertainment industry. Several film projects involving Pakistani talent were abruptly canceled. Social media platforms in India also witnessed a clampdown, as accounts belonging to prominent Pakistani artists—Hania Aamir, Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and Ali Zafar—were restricted or blocked altogether. Against this charged backdrop, actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh's decision to move forward with his upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3, featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, has ignited a major controversy.
The move drew sharp criticism, particularly from singer Mika Singh, who voiced his disapproval on June 24, 2025, through his Instagram story. He directly targeted Diljit for continuing to collaborate with talent from across the border despite the worsening diplomatic climate. Calling him "fake", Mika labeled Diljit’s choice as careless and underscored that national interests must always come before personal or professional commitments. He emphasized that individuals associated with influential platforms must exercise caution and responsibility when tensions run high between nations.
" Desh pehle (country first). Guys, as we all know, the relationship between India and Pakistan isn’t going well right now. Yet some people continue to act irresponsibly. Before releasing any content that involves artists from across the border, they should think twice, especially when our nation’s dignity is involved," he wrote.
Mika’s post also referenced the stalled release of Abir Gulaal, a romantic film starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, which failed to receive clearance in India due to similar concerns. Though he did not explicitly name Diljit in his story, the accompanying image of the singer-actor left little room for doubt.
"There was a film featuring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor that many of us opposed, and yet, some still don’t seem to get the message. What's more shocking is that a fake singer, after doing 10 shows in India with thousands of fans buying tickets, has now disappeared, leaving fans betrayed and helpless..." he added.
Responding to the growing criticism, Diljit finally addressed the matter during an interview with BBC Asian Network. He clarified that Sardaar Ji 3 had completed filming in February 2025, well before the April attack that intensified hostilities. At that time, there were no signs of impending conflict, and production was moving forward without any geopolitical concerns.
Diljit expressed that while much has changed since then, the decision to proceed with an overseas release was ultimately made by the film’s producers, who had invested significant resources into the project. He added that the current political environment was beyond their control and affirmed his support for the team’s choice to release the film outside India.
However, this explanation did not appease everyone. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees ( FWICE) reacted strongly, calling for punitive action against Diljit and the film’s production crew. The federation demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoke the passports and citizenship of those involved in what they labeled an "anti-national" act.
What began as a security incident has now snowballed into a cultural and political storm, placing artists and filmmakers in the line of fire amid deepening national divides.
While the military confrontation stirred political tensions, its aftershocks quickly spilled over into the entertainment industry. Several film projects involving Pakistani talent were abruptly canceled. Social media platforms in India also witnessed a clampdown, as accounts belonging to prominent Pakistani artists—Hania Aamir, Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and Ali Zafar—were restricted or blocked altogether. Against this charged backdrop, actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh's decision to move forward with his upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3, featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, has ignited a major controversy.
The move drew sharp criticism, particularly from singer Mika Singh, who voiced his disapproval on June 24, 2025, through his Instagram story. He directly targeted Diljit for continuing to collaborate with talent from across the border despite the worsening diplomatic climate. Calling him "fake", Mika labeled Diljit’s choice as careless and underscored that national interests must always come before personal or professional commitments. He emphasized that individuals associated with influential platforms must exercise caution and responsibility when tensions run high between nations.
" Desh pehle (country first). Guys, as we all know, the relationship between India and Pakistan isn’t going well right now. Yet some people continue to act irresponsibly. Before releasing any content that involves artists from across the border, they should think twice, especially when our nation’s dignity is involved," he wrote.
Mika’s post also referenced the stalled release of Abir Gulaal, a romantic film starring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, which failed to receive clearance in India due to similar concerns. Though he did not explicitly name Diljit in his story, the accompanying image of the singer-actor left little room for doubt.
"There was a film featuring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor that many of us opposed, and yet, some still don’t seem to get the message. What's more shocking is that a fake singer, after doing 10 shows in India with thousands of fans buying tickets, has now disappeared, leaving fans betrayed and helpless..." he added.
Responding to the growing criticism, Diljit finally addressed the matter during an interview with BBC Asian Network. He clarified that Sardaar Ji 3 had completed filming in February 2025, well before the April attack that intensified hostilities. At that time, there were no signs of impending conflict, and production was moving forward without any geopolitical concerns.
Diljit expressed that while much has changed since then, the decision to proceed with an overseas release was ultimately made by the film’s producers, who had invested significant resources into the project. He added that the current political environment was beyond their control and affirmed his support for the team’s choice to release the film outside India.
However, this explanation did not appease everyone. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees ( FWICE) reacted strongly, calling for punitive action against Diljit and the film’s production crew. The federation demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoke the passports and citizenship of those involved in what they labeled an "anti-national" act.
What began as a security incident has now snowballed into a cultural and political storm, placing artists and filmmakers in the line of fire amid deepening national divides.
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