Amid the ongoing controversy over working with Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in the upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh shared a cryptic post about censorship.
Amid the ongoing controversy over working with Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in the upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh shared a cryptic post about censorship.
On Monday, Diljit took to his Instagram handle to re-share a post, titled ‘Censored before release?’ The post refers to his upcoming film Punjab 95, which has been delayed due to censor issues. It has added fuel to the controversy around Sardaar Ji 3.
The post is about filmmaker Sunayana Suresh’s experience of watching Punjab 95 where she raved the film and was also all praise for director Honey Trehan and Diljit for "bravely taking a stand, refusing to be associated with the film if it is released in a censored form."
Diljit Dosanjh sparked outrage on social media after he shared the trailer of Sardaar Ji 3, starring Hania Aamir, especially amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, after the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack and Operation Sindoor. Several film bodies have also criticised him and called for a ban. Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), in a statement, has even called for passport cancellation of Diljit Dosanjh and makers of Sardaar Ji 3.
However, Diljit is busy promoting Sardaar Ji 3 globally, despite the controversy.
The film will only release overseas on June 27, 2025.
Diljit Dosanjh starrer Punjab '95, is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated the cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab during 1980s and 90s. In September 1995, Khalra went missing, and after 10 years, six Punjab police officers were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for kidnap and murder of Khalra.
The film was supposed to release in February 2025, but the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has reportedly demanding 120 cuts in film.
In 2023, the film was set for its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) but was removed from the line-up after the makers reportedly refused to agree on multiple cuts.