Sardaar Ji 3 Hania Aamir Controversy: Why Diljit Dosanjh and team kept Pakistani actress' role a secret?

Sardaar Ji 3 Hania Aamir Controversy: Why Diljit Dosanjh and team kept Pakistani actress' role a secret?

Diljit Dosanjh, the global Punjabi superstar, is currently facing significant backlash over his latest film, Sardaar Ji 3, following the revelation that Pakistani actor Hania Aamir plays a key role in the horror-comedy. The trailer, launched on Sunday night, ignited a firestorm on social media, with fans expressing their anger and disappointment.

The core of the controversy stems from two main issues: the casting of a Pakistani artist despite an unofficial ban on such collaborations in India after the Pahalgam track in April this year, and the deliberate secrecy surrounding Hania Aamir’s involvement until the trailer's release.

This secrecy has particularly irked fans, who feel misled by Diljit Dosanjh and the film's production team.

The timing of this revelation has also exacerbated the situation. It comes just two months after a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people. Hania Aamir herself had previously drawn criticism from Indian fans for her comments on "Operation Sindoor," India's retaliatory air strikes on terror camps in May. Her Instagram account, along with those of other Pakistani stars, was subsequently blocked in India following the attack.

In what appears to be a damage control measure, Sardaar Ji 3 will bypass an Indian release and instead premiere overseas on June 27. This strategic move aims to circumvent the domestic uproar but highlights the sensitivity surrounding cross-border collaborations in the current geopolitical climate.

The deliberate concealment of Hania Aamir's casting is evident in the film's promotional strategy. On April 22, the same day as the Pahalgam attack, Diljit Dosanjh announced the wrap-up of Sardaar Ji 3 with a social media post, expressing gratitude for the team's hard work. Throughout March and April, both Dosanjh and Aamir were active on Instagram, sharing posts from their respective UK trips, where the film was being shot. Hania Aamir even celebrated her 28th birthday in England during this period.

However, despite their concurrent presence in the UK and their roles in the same film, there was no public acknowledgment of their professional collaboration. On June 1, Dosanjh shared a teaser announcement for Sardaar Ji 3, hyping the film's release and its triple dose of "madness" but conspicuously omitting any mention of Hania Aamir. A week later, on June 8, he shared behind-the-scenes pictures with co-star Neeru Bajwa and other female actors from the sets, again with no sign of Hania Aamir in clear view.

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Interestingly, a closer look at the fifth slide of this post now reveals Hania Aamir, in a black saree as seen in the trailer, but with her back to the camera, a subtle hint that went unnoticed until now. Even the title card of Sardaar Ji 3's teaser, released on June 15, failed to include Hania Aamir's name.

While there was no official confirmation, speculation about a Diljit Dosanjh-Hania Aamir collaboration had been simmering among fans since October 2024.

Hania Aamir famously attended Diljit Dosanjh's "Dil-Luminati Tour" concert in London, where videos of the Punjabi star inviting her on stage and serenading her with his hit song "Lover" went viral. Both artists subsequently shared snippets and appreciation posts from the concert, fueling fan desires for a joint project.

Amidst the growing criticism, an unfazed Diljit Dosanjh announced on Monday that "Sohni Lagdi," a song featuring Hania Aamir, would be released as scheduled.

This stance suggests that despite the uproar, the team is committed to the film's overseas release and its existing cast. While the Internet continues to debate Hania Aamir's casting, the film's exclusion from the Indian market means its potential box office performance remains insulated from domestic outrage.