Why did Naseeruddin Shah defend Diljit Dosanjh and Hania Aamir over 'Sardaar Ji 3' casting?

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah briefly took to Facebook to voice his support for singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh amid growing discussion surrounding the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3. The post addressed the backlash directed at Dosanjh, but was later deleted.

Sardaar Ji 3, which released overseas on June 27, has become the focus of a wider conversation about cross-border collaborations in Indian cinema. The inclusion of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in a lead role prompted criticism from several industry figures and a formal objection from the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), which had previously reiterated its stance against employing Pakistani talent in Indian productions.

In a now-deleted post, Shah wrote, “I STAND FIRMLY WITH DILJIT,” asserting that Dosanjh was not responsible for the film’s casting decisions and praising him for “not having a poisoned mind.”

Sardaar Ji 3 is out in UAE cinemas now and is doing brisk business at the global bo-office.

He added, “The director was responsible for casting, not Diljit. But no one knows who the director is, whereas Diljit is a global name ..."

Reactions from the industry

While some, including filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and lyricist Javed Akhtar, expressed support for Dosanjh, others offered sharp criticism.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit strongly disagreed with Shah’s remarks, accusing him of ignoring the broader geopolitical context. “Naseeruddin Shah says that Diljit was not responsible for casting. Well, he was an actor—he could have refused to work with Pakistani actors,” Pandit said.

He added, “It’s unfortunate that I have to explain the situation to him."

Pandit also confirmed that FWICE has issued a formal non-cooperation notice against Dosanjh for the film.

Despite the controversy, Sardaar Ji 3 continues its international run. Diljit Dosanjh recently shared a video on Instagram showing a packed theatre in Pakistan reacting enthusiastically to the film. While the film has not released in India, it has found viewership across international markets.

Naseeruddin Shah’s deleted Facebook post has become a flashpoint in an already heated debate over artistic collaboration across borders. While some have defended freedom of expression and cultural exchange, others maintain that national security concerns should take precedence.