Diljit under fire for Sardarji 3, despite film being shot before Pahalgam attack
CHANDIGARH: A coordinated smear campaign appears to be underway in Bollywood against Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh, who is being targeted not only for working with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his upcoming film Sardarji 3, but now also for speaking fluent English—something his critics bizarrely claim undermines his earlier statements of not being comfortable with the language.
The controversy erupted after a clip of Diljit conversing in English with Harvey Mason Jr., President of the Grammy Recording Academy, was circulated on Reddit. In the video, Diljit is seen speaking fluently, prompting trolls to accuse him of being “fake” and “pretending not to know English.” One user remarked, “Everything about him in the public domain is a lie!!” Another mocked, “OMG he was acting all along… such a fake guy (sic).”
The timing of the video’s resurgence has raised eyebrows, as it comes on the heels of the Sardarji 3 controversy—where Dosanjh is facing boycott calls for starring opposite Hania Aamir. Critics claim the collaboration is “unpatriotic” in light of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-based militants.
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has called for a nationwide boycott of Diljit and urged film producers and event organisers across India to sever all ties with him. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) have also condemned Diljit and Sardarji 3, threatening action against the producers and even pressing for Diljit’s removal from the upcoming film Border 2, where he stars alongside Sunny Deol.
Director Onir, associated with the project, strongly defended the film and Diljit, tweeting:
“Fools just need a reason to troll, especially when the artist is not from the majority community. They don’t understand filmmaking timelines. The film was shot much before the attack.”
The film is reportedly not releasing in India due to the growing backlash and will instead have an international release.
Meanwhile, support for Diljit has poured in from Punjab and Sikh institutions. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) denounced the targeting of Diljit, calling it part of a broader bias against turbaned Sikh artists. SGPC general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal said, “Diljit is being targeted because he is a successful, turbaned Punjabi Sikh. He is not the producer of the film and had no control over casting. He’s being punished for promoting Punjabi culture.”
Several Punjabi film artists also rallied in support. They alleged that a jealous lobby within Bollywood is uncomfortable with Diljit’s rising global recognition. “Diljit is a true nationalist. He doesn't need a certificate of patriotism from any self-appointed group, ” said one leading Punjabi actress.
Despite the rising controversy, Diljit has remained silent on the matter. However, in his Grammy interview with Panos Panay, he offered a clear perspective:
“Countries are at war and we don’t have control over these things. But I believe music is something that unites nations.”
The incident underscores an increasingly toxic environment in the film industry, where political tensions are spilling into creative spaces and threatening cross-border artistic collaboration. For many, the controversy reflects not just an attack on an individual artist—but on artistic freedom itself.