Islamabad, June 26, 2025: The highly anticipated Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, starring Indian superstar Diljit Dosanjh and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, is set to release across Pakistan tomorrow (Friday), after the film’s Indian release was shelved amid ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Taking to Instagram, Hania Aamir shared a promotional poster announcing the film’s release in Pakistan, confirming that the country’s censor board has granted approval for nationwide screening.
The film, part of the popular Sardaar Ji franchise, was initially expected to release in both India and international markets. However, backlash in India over the casting of a Pakistani actress led the producers to cancel its domestic release.
Two major Indian film industry bodies — the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) and the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) — condemned the casting of Hania Aamir and called for a boycott of the film. The controversy was further fueled by the aftermath of the May military confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
That confrontation, which lasted 87 hours, was triggered by Indian missile strikes inside Pakistani territory. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos (Iron Wall), during which the Pakistan Air Force reportedly shot down at least six Indian fighter jets, including three French-made Rafales.
The collaboration between Hania Aamir and Diljit Dosanjh had already generated buzz last year when she was invited on stage by the Indian star during his London concert, sparking rumors of an on-screen pairing — later confirmed when she joined the Sardaar Ji 3 cast.
Speaking to BBC Asian Network earlier this week, Diljit Dosanjh acknowledged that the situation between Pakistan and India had been relatively stable during filming in February. “When the film was being made, the situation was OK… a lot has happened since then, but those things are beyond our control,” he said.
He added that the decision to pull the film from Indian theatres was made by the producers: “The producers decided that the film won’t be able to release in India, but it can release overseas.”
Despite the controversy, the film’s Pakistan release is expected to draw significant attention from fans of both stars, particularly due to its unique cross-border casting — a rarity in recent years.
