Diljit Dosanjh to be replaced in Border 2 amid Sardaar Ji 3 controversy with Pakistani star Hania Aamir?

Reports suggest that the makers of Border 2 are considering casting a different actor

Last updated: June 29, 2025 | 21:33

Manjusha Radhakrishnan , Entertainment Editor

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Dubai: Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh is reportedly set to be replaced in the upcoming war drama Border 2, according to a report by India Today.

The development comes in the wake of controversy surrounding his Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, which has faced backlash in India over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. Amy Virk is one of the names that's being floated about as a step-in talent (more on that later).

Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh and Hania Aamir’s Sardaar Ji 3 breaks Pakistan box office record, beats Salman Khan’s Sultan

Sources close to the production reportedly told India Today that the decision was influenced by the patriotic tone of Border 2, which centres on the Indian Army.

Despite the controversy in India, Sardaar Ji 3 has emerged as a smash hit in Pakistan, where Hania Aamir enjoys massive popularity.

Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh, Pakistani star Hania Aamir's 'Sardaar Ji 3' to release overseas, but not in India amid boycott calls

The film is also performing well in several international markets, particularly among the Punjabi-speaking diaspora. However, its release has reportedly been withheld in India due to the backlash over Aamir’s inclusion, making it a rare instance of a cross-border Punjabi film succeeding abroad while facing resistance at home.

Ammy Virk, known for his roles in war dramas such as Bhuj: The Pride of India and Kesari, is said to be the top choice to replace Dosanjh in Border 2. While casting decisions are still being finalised, there has been no official confirmation from T-Series or the film’s producer, Nidhi Dutta.

BN Tiwari, President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), also weighed in, stating that while there’s been no formal communication, recasting may be the only viable option.

The incident adds to a history of strained cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan in cinema. After the 2016 Uri attack, several Pakistani actors — including Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan — saw their Bollywood careers hit a bump, as production houses distanced themselves amid growing public and political pressure.

Directed by Nidhi Dutta, Border 2 is a sequel to JP Dutta’s 1997 war epic Border, which dramatised the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict. The new installment is slated for release on January 23, 2026, coinciding with India’s Republic Day weekend.

As of now, no official statement has been made regarding Dosanjh’s exit.

Manjusha Radhakrishnan Entertainment Editor

Manjusha Radhakrishnan has been slaying entertainment news and celebrity interviews in Dubai for 18 years—and she’s just getting started. As Entertainment Editor, she covers Bollywood movie reviews, Hollywood scoops, Pakistani dramas, and world cinema. Red carpets? She’s walked them all—Europe, North America, Macau—covering IIFA (Bollywood Oscars) and Zee Cine Awards like a pro. She’s been on CNN with Becky Anderson dropping Bollywood truth bombs like Salman Khan Black Buck hunting conviction and hosted panels with directors like Bollywood’s Kabir Khan and Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. She has also covered film festivals around the globe. Oh, and did we mention she landed the cover of Xpedition Magazine as one of the UAE’s 50 most influential icons? She was also the resident Bollywood guru on Dubai TV’s Insider Arabia and Saudi TV, where she dishes out the latest scoop and celebrity news. Her interview roster reads like a dream guest list—Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Shah Rukh Khan, Robbie Williams, Sean Penn, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Morgan Freeman. From breaking celeb news to making stars spill secrets, Manjusha doesn’t just cover entertainment—she owns it while looking like a star herself.