Why Has Diljit Dosanjh Chosen Not to Release ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ in India?

Mumbai, June 25 (NationPress) Global sensation Diljit Dosanjh has made the decision to refrain from releasing his contentious film ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ in India following the backlash regarding the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir.

On Tuesday, Diljit’s representative Sonali Singh took to Instagram to express a detailed statement indicating that Diljit has opted against the film’s release in India.

She commenced her message by stating that after a career of over two decades, Diljit Dosanjh has emerged as a cultural icon not only in India but also on the international stage. Yet, he frequently finds himself scrutinized, particularly as a “proud Sikh, Punjabi, and an artist who represents India with quiet pride rather than loud declarations”.

She articulated, “This recent wave of criticism surrounding his upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji, due to the presence of a Pakistani co-star, is both disheartening and unfair especially considering the timing and the nature of the project. The film was shot long before the current political climate intensified.”

She described the project as one funded by “innocent families of the producers” using their “personal life savings, and made to uplift the regional film industry”. Attempting to derail this release at this juncture undermines not just one actor but an entire creative ecosystem.

She further highlighted, “It's not a film backed by a giant corporate house that can absorb the blow of massive losses. This is someone's life's earnings and it's at risk of being wiped out entirely.”

Sonali then referred to another Diljit film, ‘Punjab 95’, which has faced delays for over two years due to the censor board’s lack of clearance. In ‘Punjab 95’, Diljit portrays the role of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who fought for the dignity of innocent Punjabis wrongly targeted by Punjab police during the state’s counter-insurgency program after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination.

She continued, “And yet in the face of it all, Diljit has chosen to respect the sentiments of the Indian public and authorities. He is not releasing the film in India, aligning with the nation's current mood and showing once again that he honors the decisions of his own country even at a personal and professional cost.” While this decision will undoubtedly impact the film’s business, Diljit prioritizes mitigating losses for the producers, crew, and families tied to this film while balancing respect for the nation.

She asserted that this choice is challenging for him but he believes it is the right thing to do. As always, he chooses love and prioritizes others over himself.