MUMBAI, June 24— Amid growing outrage over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has posted a cryptic message that many interpret as a subtle reaction to the backlash.
Taking to Instagram, Diljit shared a brief yet pointed post: “Censored before release?” The line, though not directly referencing the ongoing controversy, is widely seen as a nod to the repeated obstacles his films face—particularly Punjab 95, which was delayed due to censorship issues.
Punjab 95, directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist who exposed mass disappearances during Punjab’s militancy era.
While the post made no mention of Sardaar Ji 3, the timing and tone suggest Dosanjh’s mounting frustration over the scrutiny his work continues to draw, especially when politically sensitive themes or international collaborations are involved.
The latest storm erupted after Dosanjh announced that Hania Aamir would star opposite him in the third installment of the popular Sardaar Ji franchise, a fantasy horror-comedy. The collaboration drew swift backlash online, particularly from Indian social media users, who slammed the decision amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions.
The criticism intensified after the trailer dropped last week, which Dosanjh shared with the caption: “Sardaar Ji 3 Releasing 27th June Overseas Only. FADH LAO BHOOND DIAN LATTAN.”
With Sardaar Ji 3 now scheduled for an overseas-only release on June 27, Dosanjh has not issued a formal statement addressing the controversy. However, his cryptic post has fueled speculation that he is pushing back—if subtly—against both censorship pressures and nationalist outrage.
Whether the silence holds or leads to a more direct response remains to be seen, but for now, Dosanjh appears to be letting the art—and subtext—speak for itself.
