Chandigarh; Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly defended Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh amid growing controversy surrounding the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3.
The Chief Minister criticized the backlash, calling it a politically motivated attack on Punjabis and their shared cultural heritage.
In a public statement and social media posts, CM Mann emphasized that the film had been shot well before the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack—a key event which intensified tensions between India and Pakistan.
He questioned the rationale behind the outrage, highlighting what he called a “double standard” in how cultural exchanges with Pakistan are treated.
“The film was completed before the Pahalgam incident. Now it’s banned, and Diljit is being called a traitor. But when Pakistan’s hockey team visits India, there is no problem?” the CM asked.
Mann reiterated the deep linguistic and cultural bonds between Indian and Pakistani Punjabis, noting that efforts to vilify Dosanjh ignored the broader context of regional identity and unity.
He went on to accuse “self-proclaimed nationalists” of targeting Punjabis due to envy and prejudice.
“Punjabis don’t need certificates of patriotism. We are the first to fight and the last to retreat. These political games must stop,” he added.
Referring to Dosanjh as the “pride of India,” Mann asserted that art and creativity should not be held hostage to political narratives. He urged consistency in applying standards across cultural and sporting exchanges with Pakistan.
The remarks come after right-wing groups demanded a ban on Sardaar Ji 3, alleging that casting a Pakistani actress in an Indian film during heightened geopolitical tensions was inappropriate.
The controversy also drew criticism from sections of the Punjabi film industry, who view the move as an attack on artistic freedom and cross-border cultural diplomacy.
CM Mann concluded by reaffirming his government’s support for Punjab’s creative community and called for respect toward artists who “unite hearts beyond borders.”
