New Delhi: Indian singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh is facing intense criticism and boycott calls over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Amir in his latest film Sardaar Ji 3. The controversy has escalated to the point where some have even demanded that Dosanjh's Indian citizenship be revoked.
Despite the online outrage, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has publicly backed Dosanjh. BJP national spokesperson R.P. Singh called the artist a “national asset” and a “global ambassador of Indian culture,” dismissing the demand to strip him of his citizenship as “unfair” and “disproportionate.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Singh defended Dosanjh, pointing out that Sardaar Ji 3 was filmed prior to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. He argued that while public discontent is valid and people are free to boycott the film, questioning Dosanjh’s patriotism was unreasonable.
Singh also highlighted a perceived double standard, noting that the Indian cricket team recently played a match against Pakistan without similar backlash. “News channels regularly invite Pakistani analysts for debates. Should those anchors now be asked to surrender their citizenship too?” Singh wrote.
The BJP leader urged the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) to reconsider its call for punitive action, warning against the “weaponisation of patriotism” and its potential to undermine the country’s moral high ground.
Meanwhile, Dosanjh responded to the controversy by clarifying that casting choices are not within his control. However, FWICE remains firm in its opposition to the collaboration with a Pakistani actor, accusing the film’s team of ignoring the country’s traumatic past with Pakistan, citing incidents such as the Mumbai attacks, Uri, and Pulwama.
Ashoke Pandit, FWICE Chief Advisor and President of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association, accused Dosanjh of being indifferent to national sentiment and criticised him for not condemning Hania Amir’s past comments regarding Operation Sindoor and India.
‘Sardaar Ji 3’, which released internationally on June 27, will not be screened in India amid the ongoing controversy.
