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Indian superstar Diljit Dosanjh has defended Sardaar Ji 3, its makers, and spoken warmly about Hania Aamir after the upcoming rom-com came under fire from Indian film bodies for casting the latter.

In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Dosanjh addressed the controversy head-on, saying “everything was fine” between the two countries during filming in February.

“When the film was being made, the situation was okay. When I signed the film, everything was okay. After that, there have been things that have been out of our control, and so, if the producers want to release the film abroad, I am with them,” said the singer turned actor.

Dosanjh added that the producers made the decision not to release Sardaar Ji 3 in India to mitigate possible losses. “They are already prepared for the loss the film is going to face, because you’ve [removed] one territory entirely. But what can you do?”

Sardaar Ji 3 came under fire after India blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack — which Pakistan has repeatedly denied — and then launched overnight air strikes inside Pakistan, leading to one of the most tense military confrontations between the neighbouring countries in decades. According to the ISPR, India’s unprovoked attacks on six sites within Pakistan claimed 31 lives and left 57 injured, including women and children.

Several Pakistani celebrities shared messages of condemnation, including Aamir. In an Instagram story, she called the strikes “cowardly” and “shameful”. Her message sparked backlash in India and calls to boycott the Punjabi-language film, which is set to release tomorrow.

Despite the controversy, Dosanjh expressed nothing but respect for Aamir, emphasising her conduct and professionalism during the shoot. “We didn’t have much time together,” he admitted, “but she was very professional. We had a great experience on set.”

He added that although people think that behind the scenes, actors get to party a lot together but that’s not always the case, especially not with him. “I really respect her work and, more than anything, I respect everyone’s privacy. I am a very private person myself, and I give everyone space, especially girls. They need their personal space. Offscreen things are very different.”

At a time when cross-border artistic collaborations are increasingly under fire in India due to political hostilities, Dosanjh’s comments serve as a rare and refreshing moment of public solidarity from a top Indian star.

As Indian film bodies call for a complete ban on the star and the All India Cine Workers Association President Suresh Shyamlal Gupta called Aamir a “terrorist”, her casting is being celebrated locally.

The film’s international release, minus India, highlights the impact of rising nationalism on South Asian cultural exchange and Dosanjh’s commitment to representing the Punjabi culture globally.

From being the first Punjabi artist to perform at Coachella, to appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and walking the Met Gala red carpet in regal Punjabi attire, Dosanjh has steadily built a global reputation. His commitment to Punjabi music, language and identity remains firm, as does his openness to diverse collaborations.

“If my song becomes a massive international hit, then I want it to be Punjabi in feel,” he told the BBC. “The beat, it needs a dhol in it. Otherwise, what’s the point if it’s the same as someone else’s style?”

Dosanjh’s measured support of his co-star and his pride in Punjabi identity — regardless of political borders — might be the bridge art and cinema need.