New Delhi, June 25: Punjabi actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh is at the center of controversy. He is working alongside Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3. Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, social media users have criticized the actor. The music fraternity and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) have criticized him as well.
Manager Sonali Singh Defends Diljit: “Always Choosing Love Over Hate”
Diljit’s manager, Sonali Singh, responded to the backlash in a long note titled “Always Choosing Love Over Hate”. She called the criticism “disheartening” and “unfair”. This was especially because the film was shot long before tensions escalated.
“This recent wave of criticism surrounding his upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3 is disheartening. It is due to the presence of a Pakistani co-star. The criticism is both unfair and especially so considering the timing and the nature of the project. The film was shot long before the current political climate intensified,” Sonali stated.
Producers’ Life Savings At Stake Amid Criticism
According to Sonali, Sardaar Ji 3 is a passion project funded by the personal savings of its producers. The campaign to boycott the film threatens not just one actor, but an entire creative ecosystem.
“This is yet another project involving innocent families of the producers. It was created and funded with personal life savings. The project aims to uplift the regional film industry. To attempt to derail this release now is to undermine not just one actor, but an entire creative ecosystem. It’s not a film backed by a giant corporate house that can absorb the blow of massive losses. This is someone’s life earnings, and it’s at risk of being wiped out entirely,” Sonali added.
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Highlighting Netizens’ Hypocrisy Against Diljit Dosanjh
Sonali also called out netizens for hypocrisy, highlighting how Diljit is celebrated globally but criticized at home.
“On one hand, global media celebrates him as the first Indian to perform at Coachella. He also appears on The Tonight Show and walks the Met Gala representing his heritage. Every time, he proudly carries India with him. But on the other hand, in his own country, how quickly we forget. We celebrate him when he puts India on the map. Yet, we easily trash him when the narrative turns,” Sonali remarked.
Diljit’s Cryptic Social Media Posts Amid the Backlash
Amid the controversy, Diljit Dosanjh shared a cryptic post on Instagram hinting at censorship struggles:
“Censored before release?” he posted. He referred to the delayed release of his long-awaited film Punjab 95. The film is based on the life of Khalra and the human rights abuses during Punjab’s militancy era.
Separately, he announced that Sardaar Ji 3 will release exclusively in overseas markets from June 27.
“Sardaar Ji 3 releasing 27th June OVERSEAS only. FADH LAO BHOOND DIAN LATTAN,” he wrote.
Why This Controversy Matters for the Punjabi Film Industry
Political tensions and social media narratives greatly affect creative collaborations. This ongoing backlash highlights these effects. Artists and the regional film industry are impacted. Despite the controversy, the trailer of Sardaar Ji 3 is not available on YouTube in India. However, Diljit himself has shared it on Instagram.
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