Veteran screenwriter-lyricist Javed Akhtar came out in support of actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh, who has been facing boycott calls in India for sharing the screen with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his latest film, Sardaar Ji 3. Akhtar stated that people should go easy on Diljit as the entire film was shot before the Pahalgam terror attack.
“Ab kya kare bechara? The movie was shot earlier. He did not know something like this would happen. Iss mein Pakistani aadmi ka paisa toh nahi doobega, Hindustani ka paisa doobega. Toh phir kya faayda?” Akhtar told NDTV.
He went on to say that had Diljit known earlier about such an attack, he would obviously have never cast Hania in his film. “I think the government and the censor board should look at the situation with a little sympathy. And say that don't do this again, but since you made this film before, then release it. But it should not happen again."
Sardaar Ji 3 controversy
Diljit has been at the receiving end of severe backlash after he dropped the trailer of his film, Sardaar Ji 3, featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. It was in direct contradiction to the decision of Indian film bodies, which had unanimously decided to not collaborate with Pakistani artists and ban them completely in India post the ghastly terror attack in Pahalgam.
Not just that, but even Indian fans of Hania turned against her after she called India's Operation Sindoor on Pakistan "cowardly".
However, Diljit and the makers of Sardaar Ji 3 decided to release the film only outside India, and said that they cannot afford the financial loss if it gets junked. The makers also promised to never collaborate with a Pakistani artist in future.
Film bodies demand ban on Diljit
Meanwhile, several film bodies including FWICE and AICWA wrote to authorities demanding a complete ban on Diljit and his shows and collaborations in India. They also demanded that he be dropped from the upcoming film, Border 2.
But if reports are to be believed, the actor has already shot for 50 per cent of the film, and the makers are in no mood to replace him.
