The actress shared the trailer, ending speculation about her removal from the film
Pakistani actress Hania Aamir’s Indian film debut, Sardaar Ji 3, will not hit cinemas in India amid renewed tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.
Amid earlier rumours that she had been dropped from the film due to pressure from Indian film bodies and right-wing groups, Aamir put the speculation to rest by sharing the official trailer, which confirmed her role.
Diljit Dosanjh also promoted the film on Instagram, announcing: “Sardaar Ji 3 is releasing on June 27, exclusively overseas! Don’t miss it.”
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the Film Federation of India had reportedly urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to block the film’s release, objecting to Aamir’s participation. This pressure followed the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), in which 26 people were killed, sparking renewed bans on Pakistani artists.
Though neither Hania nor Diljit initially addressed the rumours, fans questioned her involvement after she was absent from early posters and teasers. Curiosity grew when Dosanjh shared a behind-the-scenes photo, and the trailer’s release this weekend confirmed Aamir in the lead role as a ghostbuster.
Tensions between India and Pakistan intensified further in May after Pakistan’s Air Force downed six Indian jets in response to missile strikes on its territory. The conflict disrupted multiple Indo-Pakistani film ventures. Fawad Khan’s film Abir Gulaal, co-starring Vaani Kapoor, was also banned, while posters featuring Mahira Khan and Mawra Hocane were removed from Bollywood titles on streaming platforms.
Instagram restricted access in India to the accounts of several Pakistani stars, including Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar, after receiving a legal request citing content regulation. Indian users attempting to visit these profiles saw the message: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
Despite the challenges, Aamir received widespread support from fellow artists and fans. Celebrities such as Mahira Khan, Mehwish Hayat, Zara Noor Abbas, and Yasir Hussain praised her resilience. Hussain also noted that the film carries “historic value” due to Aamir’s participation amid strained diplomatic ties.
