Row over ‘Sardar Ji 3': trend of cross-border collaborations in Punjabi film industry unlikely to sustain

Indian Express

18-07-2025

Even as Bollywood has refused to cast Pakistani actors following the 2016 Uri attack, the Punjabi film industry continues to find itself entangled in the debate, more so now in the wake of the controversy surrounding Sardar Ji 3, the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer that features Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in a prominent role.
The film, which has not yet been released in India, is currently collecting huge profits in Pakistan and overseas, once again sparking a debate over the involvement of actors from the neighbouring country in Indian Punjabi films.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Punjabi singer-music director Ravinder Ranguwal said, 'The Punjabi film industry continued casting Pakistani actors, or rather, started featuring them more actively post-2016. All roles involving Pakistani actors were shot overseas.'
A major driver of this collaboration, industry insiders say, is the shared linguistic and cultural heritage between Charda Punjab (East Punjab in India) and Lehnda Punjab (West Punjab in Pakistan). Since both regions speak Punjabi, films that blend talent from both sides enjoy wider acceptability. 'The shared language and culture create an organic appeal in both Punjabs, which naturally enhances commercial success,' Ranguwal added.
However, he admitted that the situation might change now. 'After all the controversies that followed the Pahalgam terror attack, I don't think the Punjabi industry will cast Pakistani actors in future projects. Films that had already been signed are a different matter altogether, given the financial stakes involved,' he said.
The Chal Mera Putt franchise stands as a prime example of this trend. The first instalment, released in 2019, was a blockbuster and featured Pakistani actors like Iftikhar Thakur, Nasir Chinyoti, and Akram Udas in prominent roles. Its success was followed by Chal Mera Putt 2 (2020) and Chal Mera Putt 3 (2021), both of which included even more Pakistani talent and enjoyed massive popularity, particularly among the Punjabi diaspora in both countries and overseas.
According to an announcement made earlier this year, Chal Mera Putt 4 is scheduled for release in August, but with growing scrutiny of cross-border collaborations, the filmmakers have yet to disclose whether any changes have been made to the cast.
Besides this franchise, several other Punjabi films in recent years — including Maa Da Ladla, Honeymoon, and Carry on Jatta 3 — have featured Pakistani actors in significant roles. In fact, in the last four to five years, blending artists from both sides of Punjab had almost become a norm in the industry.
Now, with Sardar Ji 3 facing potential non-release in India due to its Pakistani cast, concerns are being raised about whether Chal Mera Putt 3 will meet the same fate. The film reportedly features an even more extensive lineup of Pakistani actors than the Dosanjh movie.
Following the Pahalgam attack, actor Iftikhar Thakur — one of the most celebrated Pakistani comedians involved in cross-border Punjabi films — had allegedly made controversial remarks directed at India, prompting a fresh wave of criticism. 'There's no shortage of talent in Punjab. We don't necessarily need to rely on Pakistani actors to make successful films,' Ranguwal had said then.
While the shared language and commercial potential of such collaborations have been key motivators, industry voices now question whether Punjabi cinema should follow Bollywood's path in phasing out Pakistani actors altogether. 'Even Hindi films are widely watched in Pakistan. So, if Bollywood can thrive without casting Pakistani actors, Punjabi cinema can also evolve with local talent,' said an insider from the Punjabi industry.