Javed Akhtar defends Diljit Dosanjh over Sardaar Ji 3 controversy

Veteran screenwriter and poet Javed Akhtar has defended singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh amid backlash over his Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, which features Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. The film released worldwide on June 27, except in India, sparking controversy over its casting and timing.

In a recent interview with NDTV, Akhtar expressed sympathy for Diljit, stating that the film was shot before the Pahalgam terrorist attack and Diljit was unaware of the ensuing controversy. Akhtar emphasized that penalizing the film would harm Indian stakeholders more than Pakistani ones.

Akhtar urged authorities to consider the situation empathetically and suggested that Diljit would have made a different choice had he known the outcome. He called for a balanced approach, acknowledging the completion of the production before the unfortunate incident.

The controversy escalated after the trailer release on June 22, revealing Hania Aamir's involvement. Diljit and his team faced criticism, including a strong letter from the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) to filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, urging him to sever ties with Diljit.

FWICE further appealed to the Government of India to take strict action against Diljit and the film's makers, requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke their passports and cancel their Indian citizenship, advocating for a complete industry boycott.

Despite the backlash, Sardaar Ji 3 managed to release globally, except in India.

According to the source: Times of India.