Amid rising backlash over the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3, a number of distinguished corners, together with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Javed Akhtar, and Imtiaz Ali, have spoken in support of lead actor and co-producer Diljit Dosanjh.
The controversy started after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) known as for strict motion towards Dosanjh, together with revoking his Indian citizenship. Their demand adopted the announcement that Sardaar Ji 3 wouldn’t be launched in India, a call made by its producers in the wake of the Pahalgam terror assault. The movie, shot earlier than the incident, launched abroad on June 27.
BJP nationwide spokesperson R P Singh publicly backed Dosanjh, calling him “a national asset and a global ambassador of Indian culture.” In a put up on X, Singh criticised FWICE’s calls for as “shockingly disproportionate,” noting that the movie was accomplished previous to the Pahalgam assault and earlier than any ban on cross-border collaborations.
He additional questioned the selective outrage, pointing out that India’s cricket group performed towards Pakistan shortly earlier than the assault and that tv networks commonly characteristic Pakistani visitors. “Let’s not cheapen nationalism or weaponise patriotism,” he wrote, urging FWICE to rethink its place.
Punjab BJP’s Culture Cell Convenor and actor Hobby Dhaliwal echoed the sentiment throughout a press convention in Chandigarh. “Diljit is the son of this soil. Punjab stands with him — and India too,” he acknowledged, calling the criticism “unjustified” and “politically motivated.”
Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar additionally got here to Dosanjh’s protection throughout a current interview with NDTV. When knowledgeable that Sardaar Ji 3 was shot earlier than the assault, he mentioned, “Usko pata toh nahi tha ki aisa hoga (He didn’t know what would happen,)” including that the federal government and censor board ought to present some sympathy and permit the discharge.
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, who’s presently engaged on a movie with Dosanjh, highlighted the actor’s patriotism, saying, “He is a son of the soil… he shows up with the Indian flag at every concert.” Ali additionally famous that casting choices will not be solely in the fingers of actors.
Meanwhile, FWICE has despatched a letter urging Ali to withdraw from his collaboration with Dosanjh, warning that continued affiliation sends a “conflicting message.” They additionally appealed to the Government of India to blacklist the actor and revoke his citizenship and passport.
