Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended Diljit Dosanjh's movie ‘Sardaarji 3’ starring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir.
Diljit's movie, he said, had been shot before the Pahalgam terror attack, after which India-Pakistan tensions peaked and resulted in Operation Sindoor. “It's strange that you think you can issue us certificates of patriotism! Please, don't play these games with us. We are fed up,” Mann said.
Speaking in the state assembly on Friday, he criticised the BJP and questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his 2015 Pakistan visit.
“We (India and Pakistan's Punjab provinces) have a shared culture. We have the same language. They speak Punjabi, as do we. Yet you say Diljit's movie cannot be released here; you call him a ‘gaddar’ (traitor). Sometimes you call him ‘gaddar’, at other times you call him ‘sardar’,” he said.
Diljit and the movie's producers decided to not release 'Sardaarji 3' in India despite no ban on the film. The decision is related to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan because of the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor and the controversy around the Pakistani actress’s appearance.
As per reports, the movie has been breaking box-office records in Pakistan, and has also been released among the South Asian, particularly Punjabi, diaspora.
The movie, a horror-comedy, made ₹42.6 crore from the overseas markets in just 10 days, according to a report in HT. This has made it as the highest-grossing Punjabi film of 2025
While Diljit has been facing criticism online, some in the BJP who are artists-turned-politicians in Punjab have supported him. Naseeruddin Shah backed Diljit saying he put out a post on Facebook which was later said it was taken down by the platform: “I stand firmly with Diljit. The dirty tricks deptt of Jumla Party has been awaiting a chance to attack him. They think they’ve got it at last.”
However, artists like Mika attacked Diljit and questioned his patriotism,to which Diljit has been responding to these remarks on his social media.
BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut also criticised him in a recent interview, saying "when we need to have a sentiment of national building, why is Diljit having his own path”.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
