An ongoing controversy has engulfed the Bollywood and Punjabi music industries, centering on actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh and the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his upcoming film, Sardaar Ji 3. The debate has intensified amidst prevailing India-Pakistan tensions, drawing strong reactions from fellow artists and industry bodies.

Mika Singh, a prominent singer, has been particularly vocal in his criticism of Diljit Dosanjh. Taking to Instagram, Mika initially expressed anger over Diljit's collaboration with a Pakistani actress, labeling him a “fake singer” and accusing him of insensitivity given the strained relations between the two nations. He referenced past opposition to films featuring Pakistani artists, such as one with Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, to underscore his point that some artists fail to grasp the gravity of national sentiment. More recently, Mika called for Diljit to issue a public apology and remove all “objectionable” scenes from Sardaar Ji 3. He stated, “Guys, I understand we all make mistakes in life. But when we do, there’s one simple word that holds power: Sorry. If Diljit made a mistake, we are all willing to forgive. But he must apologise and remove all the objectionable scenes from the movie. That’s it. No hate. Just respect. Desh pehle (Nation first).”

In response to the growing backlash, Diljit Dosanjh clarified his position to BBC Asian Network, asserting that the film project was completed prior to the escalation of current political tensions between India and Pakistan. This suggests that the collaboration occurred before recent events, such as the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 and India's Operation Sindoor air strikes on May 7, which have heightened cross-border animosity.

Conversely, Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi has come out in strong support of Diljit Dosanjh, criticizing what he perceives as double standards within the public and industry. During an interview with NDTV, Jassi highlighted that while there are calls to ban Pakistani artists, a significant portion of Indian film music uses melodies or entire songs