The strained diplomatic and military climate between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor has spilled over into the entertainment world. Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, who recently labelled India’s retaliatory action as “cowardly”, is now drawing ire for appearing in Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3.
The trailer — shared by Diljit on Instagram — confirms Hania’s lead role, even though earlier reports hinted she had been dropped due to rising tensions and the Indian film industry’s ban on Pakistani actors. This revelation has sparked massive online outrage, especially against Diljit, whose silence on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam incident is being interpreted by some as indifference.
Fans and netizens expressed anger across platforms, demanding that Diljit be removed from the high-profile patriotic sequel Border 2, which also stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty. Comments ranged from disappointment to fury, with some accusing Diljit of being “shameless” and “tone-deaf” in light of national sentiment. A few even revived older accusations, implying alignment with separatist ideologies.
Critics especially pointed out the irony of Hania speaking up for Pakistan, while Indian actors like Diljit and others “chose silence.” Sardaar Ji 3, now scheduled for an overseas-only release on June 27, appears to be at the centre of a growing cultural and political backlash.