Punjabi movie star Neeru Bajwa has now deleted all Sardaar Ji 3 promotional material from her social media accounts, adding to the controversy surrounding the movie.
The inclusion of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the movie, which also stars Diljit Dosanjh in a leading role, has drawn growing criticism.
The criticism comes after a number of Indian film associations reaffirmed their strong opposition to any professional interaction with Pakistani artists in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025.
Despite not having an Indian release date, Sardaar Ji 3 is encountering increasing online criticism due to its global distribution and Hania Aamir's role in the film.
Neeru, a celebrated figure in Punjabi cinema and a Canadian citizen, was initially active in the film's overseas promotions, particularly during events in the UK alongside Diljit Dosanjh. However, her recent decision to disengage digitally from the campaign signals a shift in response to the controversy.
Speaking to NDTV, the film’s producer, Gunbir Singh Sidhu, explained the circumstances under which the film was made. “There was no restriction from the Government of India or any other institution,” he clarified, stating that the movie was filmed earlier this year, prior to the Pahalgam incident. “We did not put the trailer on YouTube in India, nor did we do any promotional activities here,” he added, emphasising their conscious decision to avoid hurting public sentiment by withholding the release in India.
Addressing Hania Aamir’s remarks after India’s Operation Sindoor, Sidhu criticised her statements as “below the belt” and confirmed, “We’ve now decided we will not work with any Pakistani artist moving forward.”
Sidhu also acknowledged the financial repercussions of their decision. “We’ve lost about 40% of our revenue,” he revealed.
In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Diljit Dosanjh also broke his silence on the matter. “This film was shot in February. A lot happened after that which was out of our control,” he said. Speaking on the collaboration with Hania, he commented, “She’s very professional. I keep to myself mostly.”
The situation echoes recent tensions around cross-border collaborations in entertainment. Earlier this year, Abir Gulaal, which was to mark Fawad Khan’s return to Indian screens after nearly a decade, was pulled from release due to similar protests.
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