Vaani Kapoor defends Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Sardaar Ji 3’

Vaani Kapoor has defended Diljit Dosanjh’s film Sardaar Ji 3 and its international release after the India ban that was linked to co-star Hania Aamir.

The Bollywood actress defended Diljit’s decision to release the film overseas, saying the situation had been misinterpreted.

Vaani explained that the film was shot before the tragic Pahalgam attack.

She added that with such a large production, including “some 100 technicians”, it was understandable that Diljit and the makers chose to proceed.

She said: “I am assuming his film was shot before the atrocious attack, and I am assuming, as a producer, his money must have been stuck.”

Vaani stressed the difference in context at the time of shooting and said the move to go forward with the international release seemed practical.

It was never released in India due to the political tensions that followed Operation Sindoor and the attack in April 2025.

This sparked backlash across the Indian film industry.

Moreover, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees called for a ban on Diljit’s future work in India.

However, Vaani Kapoor questioned the criticism being directed at the singer and actor.

She said: “I do not think he was meaning to disrespect the nation. He is a global star.

“He has taken measures as per whatever he thought was suitable to him. But I do not think any laws have been broken, right?”

Despite the calls for a boycott, Sardaar Ji 3 went on to become a box office success overseas.

Released globally on June 27, 2025, it earned more than 50 crore and became the highest-grossing Punjabi film of the year.

Diljit and the film’s team maintained that the film had wrapped production long before tensions between India and Pakistan escalated.

Vaani Kapoor’s own cross-border project Abir Gulaal, co-starring Fawad Khan, was put on hold in the wake of the diplomatic rift.

Unlike Sardaar Ji 3, the film has not announced any international release plans and is delayed indefinitely.

Vaani Kapoor was last seen in the crime series Mandala Murders alongside Shriya Pilgaonkar and Surveen Chawla.

She will soon be seen in the upcoming film Badtameez Gill, directed by Navjot Gulati. However, a release date has yet to be finalised.

The film also stars Aparshakti Khurana and Paresh Rawal.