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Diljit Dosanjh's Film Sparks Political Censorship Row

Diljit Dosanjh's Film Sparks Political Censorship Row

Time of India3 days ago

etimes.in
/ Jun 26, 2025, 04:48PM IST
Kunal Kamra calls out the CBFC for stalling Punjab 95, starring Diljit Dosanjh as Jaswant Singh Khalra , a human rights hero abducted and killed in 1995. The film faces up to 127 censor cuts and remains uncertified, sparking outrage. Kamra alleges fear of showing 'a hero in a turban,' accusing authorities of erasing minority voices. Once slated for a major release and TIFF premiere, the film is now trapped in political fire amid Sardaar Ji 3 controversy. Is this censorship or something bigger? Watch the full video for details.

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Singer Jasbir Jassi faces legal heat over support for Pakistani actress
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Popular Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi has found himself at the center of controversy after publicly defending actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh's decision to cast Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3. His remarks have now led to a formal complaint being lodged against him at the Parliament Street police station in Delhi. According to the complaint, Jassi's support for involving a Pakistani artist in the film, especially in the immediate aftermath of the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, is being seen as 'anti-national' and insensitive to the sacrifices of Indian soldiers. The complaint also claims that Jassi's statements — which are now widely circulating on social media — have stirred public outrage and hurt national sentiment. In a recent interview, Jassi openly addressed the backlash surrounding Sardaar Ji 3, stating: 'I see protests against Diljit's film because it stars a Pakistani actress. I understand the love for our country — I share that too. But what about the double standards? If you want to ban Pakistani artists, fine — but then why is 80% of our music industry filled with songs stolen from there, or sung by artists from that country? Why selectively target just one film?' He went on to criticize the inconsistency in such protests, adding: 'You can't invite someone into your home, enjoy what they bring, and then call them the enemy. If the sentiment is to ban, then let's remove everything — songs, content, all of it — from YouTube, Spotify, and every digital platform. But singling out one artist or film isn't the solution.' Jassi's comments have sparked intense debate online, with many supporting his call for consistency, while others deem his timing and tone inappropriate given the current national climate. With legal proceedings now in motion, the controversy surrounding Sardaar Ji 3 continues to deepen, underscoring the recurring tensions between cross-border cultural collaboration and national sentiment in India's entertainment industry.

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Amid growing backlash over the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3, several prominent corners, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Javed Akhtar, and Imtiaz Ali, have spoken in support of lead actor and co-producer Diljit Dosanjh. The controversy began after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) called for strict action against Dosanjh, including revoking his Indian citizenship. Their demand followed the announcement that Sardaar Ji 3 would not be released in India, a decision made by its producers in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. The film, shot before the incident, released overseas on June 27. BJP national spokesperson R P Singh publicly backed Dosanjh, calling him 'a national asset and a global ambassador of Indian culture.' In a post on X, Singh criticised FWICE's demands as 'shockingly disproportionate,' noting that the film was completed prior to the Pahalgam attack and before any ban on cross-border collaborations. .@diljitdosanjh is not just a celebrated artist—he's a national asset and a global ambassador of Indian culture. FWICE's call to revoke his Indian citizenship over an inadvertent and pre-incident film shoot is not only unfair but shockingly disproportionate. The film featuring a… — RP Singh National Spokesperson BJP (@rpsinghkhalsa) June 27, 2025 He further questioned the selective outrage, pointing out that India's cricket team played against Pakistan shortly before the attack and that television networks regularly feature Pakistani guests. 'Let's not cheapen nationalism or weaponise patriotism,' he wrote, urging FWICE to reconsider its position. FWICE demanding @diljitdosanjh's citizenship be revoked is absurd. The film was shot before the Phalgam attack. Boycott it if needed—but don't vilify a national asset. TV anchors invite Pakistanis for TRPs daily. Do we question their patriotism ? Let's not weaponize nationalism. — RP Singh National Spokesperson BJP (@rpsinghkhalsa) June 27, 2025 Punjab BJP's Culture Cell Convenor and actor Hobby Dhaliwal echoed the sentiment during a press conference in Chandigarh. 'Diljit is the son of this soil. Punjab stands with him — and India too,' he stated, calling the criticism 'unjustified' and 'politically motivated.' Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar also came to Dosanjh's defense during a recent interview with NDTV. When informed that Sardaar Ji 3 was shot before the attack, he said, 'Usko pata toh nahi tha ki aisa hoga (He didn't know what would happen,)' adding that the government and censor board should show some sympathy and allow the release. Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, who is currently working on a film 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 also noted that casting decisions are not solely in the hands of actors. Meanwhile, FWICE has sent a letter urging Ali to withdraw from his collaboration with Dosanjh, warning that continued association sends a 'conflicting message.' They also appealed to the Government of India to blacklist the actor and revoke his citizenship and passport.

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