Putting a full stop to weeks of speculation, actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh shared a behind-the-scenes video from the sets of Border 2, confirming that he remains firmly attached to the war drama. Dressed in uniform and flanked by dancers in celebratory spirit, Dosanjh is seen shooting for a sequence with the iconic Border anthem Ke Ghar Kab Aoge playing in the background. His Instagram post, marked with a #Border2 hashtag, has already begun to trend, quelling rumors that the actor was dropped from the project. The timing of the video couldn’t have been more precise. Over the past few weeks, social media and several media outlets buzzed with reports suggesting that Dosanjh had been ousted from the film due to his previous collaboration with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3. The controversy reached a fever pitch following the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, after which nationalistic sentiments intensified.

The trailer of Sardaar Ji 3, released on June 22, drew immediate backlash owing to Hania Aamir’s presence in the film. With bilateral tensions already inflamed, the inclusion of a Pakistani actress drew ire from netizens and film industry unions alike. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) went as far as to write a letter to Sunny Deol, also part of Border 2, urging him to cut ties with Diljit. “Your decision to disassociate from this collaboration will reaffirm your enduring image as a true patriot,” the letter noted.

As protests mounted, Sardaar Ji 3 was denied a theatrical release in India, opting instead for an overseas rollout. In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Diljit clarified, “When this film was made, everything was fine... After that, a lot of big things happened that were beyond our control... So the producers decided that the film obviously won't be released in India now.” The uproar over Sardaar Ji 3 spilled over into Diljit’s other projects. There were calls from multiple quarters of the industry to reconsider his role in Border 2, as well as future projects like his collaboration with Imtiaz Ali. However, a source close to Border 2’s production told NDTV that these reports were baseless: “The news about his replacement is not true. His casting was done 9 months ago. And we have already finished 50% shoot.”

Directed as a sequel to JP Dutta’s iconic 1997 war film, Border 2 began its third shooting schedule in Pune just last week. Alongside Diljit, the film stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty in pivotal roles. Following the release of the BTS video, fans erupted with support. For many, the short clip was more than just a production update—it was a statement. Memes, reels, and reaction videos flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, lauding the actor’s professionalism and choice to address the rumours with grace and creativity. While Diljit’s post may have shut down one stream of speculation, the controversy around Sardaar Ji 3 and his association with Hania Aamir continues to simmer. Nonetheless, his move to directly connect with his audience and let his work speak for itself approach has shifted public sentiment, at least for now.