‘Sardaarji 3’ Skips India Release Over Hania Aamir Row, Producer Says 40% Revenue Lost

‘Sardaarji 3’ Producer Breaks Silence on Hania Aamir Row, Confirms 40% Revenue Loss After India Release Dropped.

Amid backlash over the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in Sardaarji 3, producer Gunbir Singh Sidhu has addressed the controversy, confirming the film’s decision to skip its India release and revealing it resulted in a 40% revenue loss.

Backlash Over Casting and Boycott Calls
Following the trailer release, the Diljit Dosanjh-led film drew criticism for featuring a Pakistani actor, particularly in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Film associations in India demanded a boycott, urging a ban due to heightened Indo-Pak tensions.

Sidhu explained that the film was shot in the UK in February, well before the attack, and clarified that there were no official restrictions at the time.

“There was no political tension or government advisory when the film was made. After the Pahalgam incident, we decided not to release the film in India out of respect for public sentiment,” Sidhu said.

He also reacted to social media criticism following controversial posts by actors Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan about India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor.

“They shouldn’t have made those statements—it was below the belt,” he remarked, without elaborating further.

Financial Impact
Sidhu highlighted the financial setback the film faced due to the India release being shelved. He drew comparisons with Jatt & Juliet 3, which grossed ₹100 crore globally—40% of which came from Indian markets.

“We took a hit of about ₹40 crore by skipping the India release,” he confirmed. “It was a tough call, but we chose sensitivity over business.”

About the Film
Sardaarji 3 is the third installment in the hit Punjabi fantasy-comedy franchise. Diljit Dosanjh returns as a ghost hunter solving a supernatural case in the UK. Hania Aamir and Neeru Bajwa also star. The film was released internationally on June 27 but was withheld from Indian theatres due to the controversy.