Amid growing controversy surrounding the Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, actress Neeru Bajwa has seemingly distanced herself from the project.
On the eve of the film’s overseas release, Bajwa unfollowed her co-stars Diljit Dosanjh and Hania Aamir on Instagram and removed all Sardaar Ji 3 promotional content—including trailers and songs—from her profile.
The backlash stems from the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, with tensions between India and Pakistan prompting criticism from a section of the audience. Although Diljit and the filmmakers have defended the casting decision—citing that it was made before current diplomatic strains—it has sparked widespread discontent, with calls for action against Diljit, including extreme demands such as revoking his citizenship and banning his social media accounts.
Neeru’s decision to step back has earned her praise on social media, with many applauding her stand. While her Instagram no longer features the film’s promotions, she did share a fan’s story highlighting a song from the premiere and is currently promoting her upcoming Hindi film Son of Sardaar 2 with Ajay Devgn.
Fans on platforms like Reddit lauded her move, interpreting it as a principled stance even if it might carry career risks. In contrast, critics questioned Diljit’s unwavering support for Hania, suggesting that his perceived arrogance could damage the goodwill he’s built over two decades.
Directed by Amar Hundal, Sardaar Ji 3 is a big-budget horror-comedy and the third installment in a popular franchise. While the previous films enjoyed strong domestic runs, this latest entry has been released only in international markets due to the ongoing controversy.
