On Tuesday, Diljit Dosanjh took to his Instagram Stories to reshare a post by Honey Trehan and Sunayana Suresh, raising alarm over the alleged censorship of Punjab ’95.
Centered on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, the film reportedly faces a demand of nearly 127 cuts from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) — including removal of real political names, locations, and explicit references to human rights abuses. While the version slated for international release remains intact, the Indian release faces uncertainty .
This struggle isn’t new. Diljit’s earlier statement in January delayed the film’s February 7 release, citing unspecified “circumstances beyond our control.” The project was also dropped from TIFF 2023 without explanation. Now, the controversy has reached a new peak, with Diljit asking, implicitly, whether films based on real history must continually surrender their stories.
FWICE Moves to Block Sardaar Ji 3 Over Pakistani Artists
Simultaneously, another storm brews around Diljit’s horror-comedy Sardaar Ji 3. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has written to the CBFC Chairperson requesting that the film’s certification be withheld due to the cast including Pakistani artist Hania Aamir .
FWICE president BN Tiwari reiterated the union’s position that no technician, performer, or producer should cooperate with Pakistani artists following the Pulwama tragedy — and the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The letter also references India’s Operation Sindoor, conducted on May 7, as the backdrop for the solidarity-driven ban .
Hania Aamir’s Social Media Accounts Restricted in India
Public sentiment took a sharper turn post the Pahalgam attack, with social media platforms restricting access to several Pakistani artists in India, including Hania Aamir. FWICE cited her alleged social media content supporting Pakistan’s stance post-Operation Sindoor as evidence that her participation in the film would “insult every martyr” and mock national sentiment .
Diljit Announces Overseas-Only Release on June 27
Amid these controversies, Diljit has confirmed via Instagram that Sardaar Ji 3 will release overseas on June 27. The trailer was shared on his Instagram, though it remains geo-blocked on YouTube India. He captioned the post with regional flair: “Sardaar Ji 3 releasing 27th June OVERSEAS only. FADH LAO BHOOND DIAN LATTAN.”
Industry Reaction and Calls for Boycott
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, aligning with FWICE, has urged producers not to work with Diljit and advocates revoking his passport. He labels Diljit a “compulsive, regular lawbreaker” who repeatedly collaborates with Pakistani artists, asserting that “when it comes to the nation…he makes the same mistake again and again” .
A Dual Front: Censorship and Nationalism Collide
Diljit now faces a dual challenge: censorship over Punjab ’95’s sensitive historical narrative and nationalist backlash over Sardaar Ji 3’s cross-border casting. On one hand, Punjab ’95 is squeezed by demands to dilute painful truths. On the other, Sardaar Ji 3’s casting of a Pakistani actress amid heightened tensions has triggered industry-wide boycott and demands for censorship.
The CBFC’s next move will determine whether Punjab ’95 retains its artistic integrity in India. Meanwhile, Sardaar Ji 3 will only reach global audiences, with its Indian fate tied to political winds and union pressure. As Diljit watches both narratives unfold, the broader conversation turns to how much creative freedom can endure when art collides with geopolitics.
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