Uncontrollable situation: Diljit Dosanjh on Sardaar Ji 3's dispute with a Pakistani actor

Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh opened up about the ongoing controversy surrounding his upcoming film, Sardaar Ji 3 over the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir. In a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, the actor revealed that the film was shot in February, much before the barbaric Pahalgam attack and the conflict between India and Pakistan.

He also expressed his support to the producers for releasing the film overseas. In the interview, he further added that a lot of things happened beyond their control and now, the situation is not in their hands.

Breaking his silence on the controversy, he said,

"Jab yeh film bani thi tab situation sab theek tha. We shot this in February and then everything was fine."

"Uske baad, bahut saari badi cheezen humare haath mein nahi hai. Toh producers ne decide kiya ki film obviously ab India toh nahi lagegi, toh overseas release karte hain. Toh producers ka bahut paisa laga hua hai aur jab yeh film bann rahi thi tab aisa kuch tha nahi."

Expressing his support to the producers of Sardaar Ji 3, he said,

"They know that there will be a loss because you're removing an entire territory. Even when I signed the film, everything was fine. Now, the situation is not in our hands. So, if the producers want to release it abroad, I support them."

After the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, film associations banned collaboration with Pakistani artistes. On June 23, Diljit released the trailer of Sardaar Ji 3 featuring Pakistani actor Hania Aamir and others. This caused a widespread backlash.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) called for a ban on Diljit Dosanjh, the producers, and the director. The association also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cease their passports and cancel their citizenship for their "anti-national" act.

Meanwhile, the film is slated to release abroad on June 27.