The fatal Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 claimed 26 civilians. Resultantly, the Pakistani artistes were banned from collaborating in India. Recently, actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh has been bearing the brunt for working with Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in Sardaarji 3.
Diljit Dosanjh on Sardaarji 3 controversy
In conversation with BBC Asian Network, Diljit said, “Jab yeh film bani thi tab situation sab theek tha. We shot this in Feb and then everything was fine. Uske baad, bhut saari badi cheezen humare haath mein nahi hai. Toh producers ne decide kiya ki film obviously ab India toh nahi lagegi, toh overseas release karte hain. Toh producers ka bahut paisa laga hua hai aur jab yeh film bann rahi thi tab aisa kuch tha nahi. (When this film was made, everything was fine. We shot it in February and things were okay back then. After that, a lot of big things happened that are beyond our control. So the producers decided that the film obviously won’t be released in India now, so they’ll release it overseas. The producers have invested a lot of money, and when the film was being made, nothing like this was happening). They know there will be a loss because you’re removing an entire territory. Even when I signed the film, everything was fine. Now the situation is not in our hands. So if the producers want to release it abroad, I support them.”
Diljit Dosanjh faces boycott calls
He also spoke about his maiden collaboration with Hania, “Very good. She’s very professional. I really respect her work and her privacy. I’m also a very private person myself and I give everyone their space, especially women. To the point hi baat hoti hai zayada kuch nahi (Conversations are to the point, nothing more).”
After the Sardaarji 3 trailer was unveiled, people expressed their disappointment on Diljit working with Hania. The actor is hereafter witnessing boycott calls, with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) slamming him. In an conversation with Hindustan Times, FWICE President BN Tiwari said, “By working with a Pakistani actor, Diljit has hurt Indian sentiments. He has disrespected the sentiments of the nation and insulted the sacrifice of our brave soldiers. His preference for Pakistani talent over Indian artists raises serious questions about his loyalty and priorities. By collaborating with a Pakistani actor, Diljit has hurt Indian sentiments, disrespected the nation, and insulted the sacrifices of our brave soldiers.”
He added, “We have heard that the film is not being released in India. But if they plan to release it, we will ban it. For now, they are releasing overseas only. That being said, Diljit working with a Pakistani actor is something we are not ready to overlook. We have called for a strict ban on all upcoming films, songs or any other sort of projects. We will also issue a formal letter on the same today. Along with Diljit, we have also called for a ban on the producers of the film regarding all their upcoming films.”
About Sardaar Ji 3
Sardaar Ji 3 stars Diljit with Hania and Neeru Bajwa, Manav Vij, Gulshan Grover, Jasmin Bajwa, and Sapna Pabbi in important roles. Hania assembles with Diljit’s character as a ghost hunter who have been assigned to sway away a spirit from a mansion located in the United Kingdom. The film will be released overseas on 27 June.
