Pakistani actress Hania Aamir has officially made her Bollywood debut in Sardaar Ji 3, but the film won’t be hitting theatres in India due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
Amid rumours that she had been dropped from the project, Hania silenced critics by sharing the film’s trailer on social media, confirming her role as a ghostbuster opposite Diljit Dosanjh. Earlier speculation arose after she was noticeably absent from the movie’s initial posters and teasers.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the Film Federation of India reportedly requested the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to block the movie’s Indian release. Their concerns were linked to the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which intensified anti-Pakistan sentiment and calls for renewed bans on Pakistani artists.
Despite these pressures, Sardaar Ji 3 is scheduled to release internationally on June 27, with Diljit Dosanjh confirming its exclusive overseas premiere on Instagram.
Hania Aamir’s involvement stirred both excitement and backlash online. A behind-the-scenes photo shared by Dosanjh had earlier reignited conversations about her casting. With the release of the full trailer, her presence in the lead role was officially confirmed.
Rising geopolitical tensions have affected multiple cross-border collaborations. Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor’s upcoming film Abir Gulaal also faced a release ban, while posters featuring Mahira Khan and Mawra Hocane were removed from digital platforms.
Additionally, Spotify India and various OTT services have started pulling Pakistani content following government directives. Instagram has restricted the accounts of Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, and Ali Zafar in India, citing compliance with local legal content regulations.
Indian users now see the message: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
Despite the political barriers, Hania Aamir has received overwhelming support from fellow celebrities including Mahira Khan, Mehwish Hayat, Zara Noor Abbas, and Yasir Hussain, all applauding her resilience in the face of adversity.
