The Bollywood and Punjabi music industries are in turmoil after Mika Singh publicly slammed Diljit Dosanjh for casting Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3. This controversy erupted after the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which left the nation grieving and diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan at a new low.
Amid strained relationship between India and Pakistan, Diljit Dosanjh released the trailer of Sardaar Ji 3 which features Pakistani actress Hania Aamir who called India’s attack on Pakistan terror camps as ‘cowardly.’
Mika Singh on Diljit Dosanjh
Taking to Instagram, Mika Singh didn’t mince words. He called Diljit a “fake singer” and accused him of acting irresponsibly by collaborating with Hania Aamir, especially when Indian sentiments are so raw.
Mika’s posts, which quickly went viral, emphasized “Desh Pehle” (Nation First), urging Diljit to apologize and remove any “objectionable scenes” from the movie.
“Before releasing any content that involves artists from across the border, they should think twice- especially when our nation’s dignity is involved,” said Mika Singh on Diljit Dosanjh and Hania Aamir’s Sardaar Ji 3.
He also shared that if Diljit feels he made a mistake, he should issue a nationwide apology.“If Diljit made a mistake, we are all willing to forgive. But he must apologise and remove all objectionable scenes from the movie. That’s it. No hate. Just respect. Desh Pehle,” Mika wrote, echoing the trending sentiment of “country before career.”
Social media outrage on Sardaar Ji 3
The trailer for Sardaar Ji 3 dropped on June 22, 2025, and the backlash was immediate. Indian fans flooded social media with hashtags like #BoycottSardaarJi3 and #NationFirst, expressing outrage over the inclusion of not just Hania Aamir but several other Pakistani actors. Many users echoed Mika’s view, saying artists should be more sensitive to national sentiments, especially after such a devastating attack.
Adding fuel to the fire, the film’s producers decided to skip an Indian release altogether, opting for an overseas premiere on June 27. This move only intensified the anger, with fans feeling “betrayed and helpless,” as Mika put it.
Diljit Dosanjh Responds
Amid the storm, Diljit Dosanjh finally broke his silence in an interview with BBC Asian Network. He explained that the film was completed before tensions escalated and that the producers had invested heavily, making an overseas release the only viable option. Diljit said, “Jab yeh film bani thi, tab sab theek tha… Producers ka paisa laga hua hai… Film bann chuki thi before tensions started.” He also acknowledged the financial risks involved for the producers, but his explanation hasn’t calmed the outrage.
FWICE urges to ban Diljit Dosanjh
While Mika Singh’s criticism has been the loudest, not everyone in the industry agrees. Diljit’s former manager, Sonali Singh, posted in his support, calling him “an ambassador of India not through propaganda, but through spirit, his art, his love”. Still, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has urged the censor board to deny Sardaar Ji 3 a release certificate, calling the film “against national interest”.
Hania Aamir’s Side
Meanwhile, Hania Aamir’s Instagram remains blocked in India, but her statements on X have circulated widely. She clarified that a viral post blaming the Pakistani army for the Pahalgam attack was fake and urged people not to politicize tragedy. She expressed condolences for the victims and called for compassion over division.
This controversy isn’t just about one film, it’s about the role of art in times of conflict. Should artists be held to a different standard when national wounds are fresh? Can Bollywood and the music industry remain apolitical in the face of terror? As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the intersection of entertainment and national sentiment has never been more charged.
