Move comes amid boycott calls for film
As tensions escalate between India and Pakistan, the cultural fallout has reached the film industry once again – this time with Canadian-Indian actor Neeru Bajwa reportedly unfollowing Pakistani co-star Hania Aamir on Instagram. Reddit and Instagram accounts first observed Hania missing from Neeru’s following list.
Neeru further appears to have removed all promotional content related to their film Sardaar Ji 3, just hours ahead of its international release on Friday.
The Punjabi-language horror-comedy, also starring Diljit Dosanjh, has found itself at the centre of a political and cultural storm. While no official comment has been made by either Neeru or Hania, the move is being widely interpreted as a response to growing criticism in India over the Pakistani actor’s inclusion in the film.
Industry insiders say the backlash stems from the participation of a Pakistani actress in an Indian production, amid renewed nationalist fervour and diplomatic hostilities following a deadly attack in Pahalgam earlier this year. The criticism, largely driven by right-wing online voices, accused Neeru of “undermining national sentiment” for collaborating with Hania.
Gunbir Singh Sidhu, the film’s producer, confirmed the decision not to release the film in India was made out of caution rather than compulsion. “There was no restriction from the Government of India or any other institution,” Sidhu told reporters. “But given the sensitivity of the situation, we refrained from releasing the trailer in India or organising any promotions.”
The Film Federation of Western Indian Cinema (FWIC) has gone a step further, calling on the government to revoke Diljit’s passport due to his continued association with the project. The statement has sparked criticism from several artists and civil society organisations, who argue the move infringes upon artistic expression and freedom of work.
Despite the mounting controversy, Sardaar Ji 3, directed by Amar Hundal, remains set for an extensive international rollout, including screenings in Pakistan, the UK, and Canada – regions with large Punjabi-speaking diaspora populations. The film also marks Hania’s debut in Indian Punjabi cinema.
In a recent interview with Haroon Rashid on the BBC Asian Network, Diljit had nothing but warm words for the professionalism displayed by Hania on set as the pair worked together in the film.
“My experience with Hania was very good,” stated Diljit in a short but sweet commendation. “She was professional when we were working. We didn’t have that much time together, though.”
“When this film was being made, the [political] situation was fine,” mused the actor-singer, adopting the sanguine, accepting tone of one picking their battles. “When we shot this film in February, everything was fine. But a lot of big things are not in our hands.”
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