In an interview with an Indian private TV network, producer Gunbir Singh Sidhu confirmed that the decision to withhold the release of Sardaar Ji 3 in India was made voluntarily after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which reignited cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.
“We chose not to release the film in India to avoid hurting public sentiment,” Sidhu stated. “Although the movie was filmed earlier this year in the UK—before tensions escalated—the situation shifted after the attack. We didn’t want to stir up emotions or face more online backlash.”
“We chose not to release the film in India to avoid hurting public sentiment,” Sidhu stated. “Although the movie was filmed earlier this year in the UK—before tensions escalated—the situation shifted after the attack. We didn’t want to stir up emotions or face more online backlash.”
Sidhu acknowledged that the backlash grew more intense after Pakistani actresses Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan publicly criticized India’s controversial Operation Sindoor earlier this year. “They shouldn’t have made those statements. I won’t say more, but I will say it was disrespectful,” he commented.
Drawing comparisons to his 2024 hit Jatt & Juliet 3, Sidhu admitted that missing the Indian market significantly hurt the commercial prospects of Sardaar Ji 3. “Jatt & Juliet 3 was the first Punjabi film to cross ₹100 crore globally, with 40% of that revenue coming from India and the remaining 60% from overseas. With Sardaar Ji 3 not releasing in India, we’ve essentially lost that 40%,” he said.
The Sardaar Ji franchise, known for mixing comedy with supernatural themes, has built a strong global fanbase among Punjabi-speaking audiences. In this third installment, Dosanjh returns as a quirky ghost hunter tackling a new paranormal case in the UK. The film marks Hania Aamir’s debut in Indian Punjabi cinema.
Despite the controversy, the film has opened strongly in international markets such as Canada, the UK, and Australia—regions home to large Punjabi communities.
While neither Dosanjh nor Aamir has addressed the controversy publicly, co-star Neeru Bajwa recently made headlines for unfollowing Aamir on Instagram and deleting all film-related posts, a move widely seen as a response to mounting public pressure.
