The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has called for strong action against actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh and the makers of his upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3 for featuring Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in the cast. The film body has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that Dosanjh, along with producers Gunbir Singh Sidhu, Manmord Sidhu, and director Amar Hundal, be blacklisted from the Indian film industry. It also asked for their passports to be revoked and Indian citizenship cancelled.
The move comes after the film’s trailer revealed that Hania Aamir, known for her roles in Pakistani dramas, plays a part in the horror comedy. The film is set to release overseas only.
In the letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, FWICE wrote, “We, the undersigned office bearers of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), representing scores of dedicated workers who form the backbone of India’s film and television industry, write with deep outrage and unwavering conviction over an act that not only defies the laws and directives of our country but insults the soul of our nation.”
“Daljit Dosanjh, Gunbir Singh Sidhu, Manmord Sidhu and Director Amar Hundal, the public personalities enjoying the privileges of Indian citizenship, have committed an unpardonable act by hiring Pakistani actress Ms. Hania Aamir in their upcoming film ‘Sardaar Ji 3’. This decision is not a mere creative choice — it is a willful affront to the sovereignty, dignity, and security of India,” the letter further reads.
“Hania Aamir is not merely a foreign artist. She is a vocal propagandist against India, who has used her platform to mock our armed forces, abuse India publicly, and shamelessly justify Pakistan’s terror acts post Operation Sindoor. Her inclusion in any Indian film is nothing short of an insult to every Indian citizen, every martyr, and every family affected by cross-border terrorism”, as per the press release.
“Ms. Hania Aamir has, time and again, abused her platform to spread venom against India, glorify terrorist forces, demean our armed forces, and mock our national tragedies. Her association with any Indian project is not just insensitive — it is an act of open provocation against our people and our country,” the letter reads.
“That Daljit Dosanjh, Gunbir Singh Sidhu, Manmord Sidhu and Director Amar Hundal, fully aware of her background and in brazen disregard of official government directives and industry-wide bans, chose to cast her, only proves where their loyalties lie. Their actions are a gross betrayal of the nation that gave them fame, fortune, and identity. It is a direct insult to every soldier who defends our borders, every family mourning a martyr, and every citizen who stands proudly under the Indian flag. We therefore demand, without equivocation, that the Government of India treat this as a serious breach,” the letter added.
“We respectfully urge that their passports be revoked without delay, and that they be permanently barred from availing any rights, privileges, or representation associated with Indian citizenship and national identity,” as per the press release.
This act or theirs is not only a direct defiance of FWICE’s official ban on Pakistani artists but also a shameful betrayal of our country and its people, especially at a time when our nation is mourning the brutal murder of innocent Indian tourists in Pahalgam by Pakistan-backed terrorists, as per the press release.
Diljit Dosanjh, Gunbir Singh Sidhu, Manmord Sidhu and Director Amar Hundal despite being fully aware of these facts and the FWICE directives, have gone ahead and hired this individual. “Their actions clearly reveal where their loyalties lie — not with India, not with Indian cinema, and certainly not with the people of this country,” they asserted.
FWICE had also approached the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the Central Board of Film Certification, demanding a complete ban on the film’s release in India and the denial of censor certification. We are grateful that the authorities have respected our stance and the sentiments of millions of Indians and have officially refused to allow the release of this film on Indian soil.
“Let this serve as a final and stern warning: Any Indian filmmaker or artist who collaborates with Pakistani nationals will be treated as complicit in promoting anti-India narratives,” as per the press release.
“We now urge and expect all Producers’ Associations, Film Federations, OTT Platforms, Exhibitors, and Distributors across the country to immediately sever all ties with Daljit Dosanjh, Gunbir Singh Sidhu, Manmord Sidhu and Director Amar Hundal. They have chosen to align themselves with the enemy — and there is no place in the Indian film industry for such individuals. This is not just a call for boycott — this is a call for national solidarity,” as per the press release.
Earlier, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has sent a letter to the Chairperson, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), to “withhold certification of the Film “Sardaarji 3″ containing Pakistani artists.”
The letter reads, “On behalf of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), we earnestly request that the Central Board of Film Certification refrain from granting certification to the film “Sardaarji 3,” as it involves participation by Pakistani actors Hania Aamir, Nasir Chinyoti, Daniel Khawar, and Saleem Albela. In light of recent directives issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (l&B Ministry) prohibiting Pakistani-origin content and collaboration with Pakistani artists in Indian productions, and the parallel stance adopted by’FWICE, we urge CBFC to align with these directives and national interest considerations before proceeding with certification…”
While speaking to media, BN Tiwari said, “We had already written a letter to the censor board stating that this film should not be censored because it’s not just Hania Aamir there are 3-4 other artists as well, because of which this has become a big issue. But we have heard they are releasing the film elsewhere, outside of India. If they do this, then we will ban them and their producer forever. White Hill, jo production company, hai aur khud Diljit Dosanjh kisi aur film mein kaam nahi kar paayenge kisi aur producer ke saath jo unki aane vaali filmein hai mai sabko letter likhunga kyunki nation first jo hamare federation ka sidhant hai usse hum hat nahi sakte”.
Amid the ongoing backlash surrounding Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Sardaar Ji 3’, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit has come forward to share his views and said that “we are appealing to our producer bodies that please don’t cast him(Diljit Dosanjh)”.
Ashoke Pandit said, “Federation of Western India Cine Employees had issued a notice of non-cooperation after the Pulwama attack. All the people will not participate with any Pakistani performer. Be it a producer, a director, a singer or a music director. No craft will involve them. If a technician works with them, it’s not only actors or performers, even the technicians will be boycotted. We issued a notice of non-cooperation on the first day of the Pulwama attack. After that, we reiterated all the attacks, that our notice is still valid. We have not changed or withdrawn it. When the trailer of ‘Sardaar Ji 3′, was released, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees, which is the mother body of 36 crafts, immediately wrote a letter to CBFC and I & B Ministry, that this film should not get a census certificate, and it should not be released here.”
Punjabi singer B Praak also took a swipe at artists’ choices and sense of responsibility amid the ongoing controversy over singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh’s collaboration with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his upcoming film ‘Sardaar Ji 3.’
Posting to his Instagram handle, B Praak shared a cryptic message criticising the artists for selling their ‘conscience’. Netizens speculate that B Praak’s recent comment is allegedly pointed at singer Diljit Dosanjh after he decided to work with the Pakistani actress Hania Aamir for ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
However, B Praak did not mention Diljit Dosanjh in his post.
His post read, “Kayin Artist Apna zameer He Bech Chuke Ne Fiteh Mooh Tuhade. (Many Artists have sold their conscience. Shame on them).
The controversy comes in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, followed by India’s Operation Sindoor on May 7, in which air strikes were carried out on terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Several Pakistani artists, including Hania Aamir, had their social media accounts made no longer accessible in India following the ghastly Pahalgam attack.
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