London, June 23, 2025: Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh’s much-anticipated comedy-horror film Sardaar Ji 3 has been officially barred from theatrical release in India amid growing backlash over the inclusion of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. The ban comes against the backdrop of escalating India-Pakistan tensions following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April.
Diljit Dosanjh confirmed the development through an Instagram post on Sunday, announcing that Sardaar Ji 3 will now release only in overseas markets on June 27. Sharing the trailer on his profile, he wrote: “Sardaar Ji 3 Releasing 27th June OVERSEAS Only/ FADH LAO BHOOND DIAN LATTAN.”
The trailer, now geo-blocked in India, displays a message on YouTube stating: “The uploader has not made this video available in your country.” Despite the restriction, promotional materials such as the teaser and music videos remain accessible to Indian audiences.
Although Hania Aamir was missing from the initial teaser, the official trailer reveals her as a key character playing a ghost hunter opposite Dosanjh. The film’s plot follows their paranormal adventures inside a haunted UK mansion, while weaving in a romantic rivalry between Aamir and Canadian-born Punjabi actress Neeru Bajwa.
Alongside Aamir, the film also features Pakistani comedians Nasir Chinyoti, Daniel Khawar, and Saleem Albela — a move that has invited criticism from Indian film industry groups.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) formally objected to the film’s release in India, urging the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to deny it clearance. FWICE cited the participation of Pakistani artists at a time when public sentiment remains deeply sensitive after the Pahalgam attack and subsequent Indian military action under Operation Sindoor.
Sources within the production say that in light of the escalating pushback and regulatory uncertainty, producers chose to pre-emptively withdraw the film from Indian distribution altogether.
Adding to the controversy, Hania Aamir’s Instagram account was reportedly blocked in India earlier this month, following allegations of her making anti-India remarks in response to Operation Sindoor. While the actress has not publicly commented, her presence in an Indian production amid ongoing hostilities has only deepened public and political scrutiny.
The decision to shelve Sardaar Ji 3 in India reflects the broader climate of cultural disengagement between India and Pakistan in recent months. With bans on cross-border collaborations and increased public scrutiny of entertainers, producers now appear increasingly wary of projects that could spark controversy.
As it stands, Sardaar Ji 3 will premiere globally on June 27, but Indian fans of the Sardaar Ji franchise will not be able to watch it legally in theatres or on streaming platforms within the country — at least for now.
