Diljit Dosanjh's Blockbuster Film Faces Ban in India

Diljit Dosanjh, one of India’s most celebrated Punjabi and Bollywood stars, has once again made headlines—not just for the success of his latest film Sardaar Ji 3, but also for the controversy surrounding its ban in India. While the film has seen massive success overseas, earning $7 million globally, Indian audiences are being denied the chance to watch it due to political tensions and cross-border sensitivities.

The Star Cast and the Cross-Border Controversy

Sardaar Ji 3, a horror-comedy directed by Amar Hundal, stars the fan-favorite duo Diljit Dosanjh and Neeru Bajwa, along with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. This cross-border casting decision has ignited political backlash in India following a deadly Kashmir attack in April, which escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Soon after the trailer’s release, the Indian government geoblocked it and denied the movie a CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) clearance. The core reason? Hania Aamir’s Pakistani nationality.

Indian Government’s Ban on Pakistani Content

India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a directive in May 2025, ordering the removal of all Pakistani-origin content across digital platforms—films, music, podcasts, and even social media profiles of celebrities. Notably, the accounts of Hania Aamir, Fawad Khan, and Mahira Khan were blocked in India.

This move follows an intense period of digital and cultural crackdowns, not just on content but on any cross-border artistic collaboration.

Reactions From Film Bodies and Critics

Organizations like FWICE and AICWA have publicly condemned the film, calling Diljit’s collaboration with a Pakistani actor a “betrayal of the nation.” Some even demanded that Dosanjh’s passport be confiscated, and he be boycotted entirely by the Indian film industry.

Critics like Rahul Desai argue that this is not just about casting but a pattern of suppressing creative freedom, especially under nationalist-driven censorship.

What Does Diljit Say?

In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Diljit Dosanjh clarified:

"When this film was made, everything was fine… after that, a lot of big things happened that were beyond our control."

He emphasized that the producers made a financial decision to release the film overseas, given the escalating political climate in India.

A History of Suppression: Panjab ’95 Also in Limbo

This isn’t the first time Diljit’s work has faced censorship. His other film Panjab ’95, based on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, remains unreleased due to CBFC's 120 cut suggestions, removing even factual references to historical events.

A Wider Cultural Impact

Despite the ban, Sardaar Ji 3 has broken records in Pakistan, becoming the highest-grossing Indian-made film there, collecting $1.4 million. The movie’s global success illustrates how art continues to unite audiences, even when politics tries to divide them.

Meanwhile, Indian audiences continue to enjoy Pakistani TV dramas and music in private, showing a clear disconnect between government policy and public sentiment.

Conclusion: When Art Suffers, So Do We

The banning of Sardaar Ji 3 is more than a political statement—it’s a disservice to art, artists, and audiences who believe in the power of storytelling to cross boundaries. In an age where global collaborations are key, India’s clampdown on creative freedom risks isolating its cinema from the global stage.

As fans across the world cheer for Diljit, Indian cinemagoers are left with one burning question:
Why can’t we watch our own star’s biggest hit at home?