‘Shot Before Pahalgam…’: Punjab CM Mann Supports Diljit Dosanjh Amid ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ Controversy
Punjab CM says the movie was filmed before the Pahalgam terror incident and questions why Pakistani teams are allowed into India while artists face restrictions.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann earlier this week seemed to downplay the backlash directed at singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh for casting Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his upcoming movie Sardaar Ji 3.
According to a report from news agency PTI, Mann referred to the criticism against Dosanjh as labelling him a “gaddar” (traitor) due to his decision to cast an actor from Pakistan. Many critics were angered by the casting, citing that national sentiment discourages engagement with Pakistani artists unless the neighbouring nation ends its alleged support of terrorism.
The Aam Aadmi Party leader also pointed out that the film’s production was completed prior to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals.
“A Pakistani actress acted in Diljit Dosanjh’s film. The filming was done before the Pahalgam terror strike. The Pakistani actress participated because our cultural backgrounds are similar. They speak Punjabi, and so do we,” Mann was quoted as saying during a public address.
The Punjab CM also appeared to question why Pakistan is allowed to take part in events like the Asia Cup. “Diljit was called a ‘traitor’. And now, a Pakistani team is coming to play here, and that’s acceptable?” Mann remarked.
Last week, the Indian government granted clearance for Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup hockey tournament, which is set to take place in Rajgir, Bihar from August 27 to September 7.
Targeting Punjabis
Mann further alleged that Punjabis are being unfairly targeted by “self-proclaimed nationalists” who resent the success of Punjab and its people. He added that the movie had been unjustly banned within India.
He emphasized that Punjabis have made substantial contributions to India’s food security and to protecting the nation’s borders.
The controversy erupted after Hania Aamir, a Pakistani actress, was cast in Dosanjh’s film. Industry organizations like the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) condemned the collaboration, particularly in light of the Pahalgam incident. FWICE went as far as to call for Dosanjh’s citizenship to be revoked. Many online users also joined in, demanding a ban on the Punjabi entertainer.
Several Sikh leaders from multiple political parties have spoken in support of Dosanjh, calling the demand to cancel his citizenship unjust. In response to the backlash, Dosanjh defended the decision to release Sardaar Ji 3 in international markets.
The film’s producers, already facing financial strain due to the India ban stemming from restrictions on Pakistani artists, argued that an overseas release was their only option.
“When we made this film, things were peaceful. We filmed it in February, and everything was normal back then. There are many big things that are simply beyond our control. So the producers decided that since it won’t release in India, it should be released internationally,” Dosanjh stated.
Tensions between India and Pakistan reached a new low following the Pahalgam terror attack. In response, on May 7, Indian forces launched strikes targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor.
