The Sardaar Ji 3 controversy began after Hania Aamir appeared in the trailer. Indo-Pak tensions made her casting a hot-button issue.
Critics slammed the film for featuring a Pakistani actress so soon after the Pahalgam terror attack. Fans and political voices called for a boycott.
Mika Singh called Diljit a “fake singer.” B Praak posted about artists who “sold their conscience.” The Sardaar Ji 3 controversy shook the Punjabi music industry.
Diljit clarified the movie was shot before political tensions escalated. He stood by the project but agreed to skip an India release.
Due to backlash, Sardaar Ji 3 will release only internationally. Trailer and film blocked in India.