Diljit Dosanjh’s film Sardaar Ji 3, co-starring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, did not receive clearance for release in India and sparked backlash amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. Veteran actor Anupam Kher, currently promoting his directorial debut Tanvi The Great, addressed the controversy and said he wouldn’t have made the same choice as Diljit.
In an interview, Anupam acknowledged Diljit’s right to freedom of expression for the sake of art, but clarified that he personally would not extend that right if it meant compromising national sentiment. Drawing a personal analogy, he said, “If someone slapped my father but sang beautifully, I still wouldn’t invite them to my home to perform.”
Anupam added, “I apply the same rules to my country as I do to my home. I’m not noble enough to watch my family suffer in the name of art.” He emphasized that while he won’t retaliate with hate, he also won’t offer acceptance to those who, in his view, disrespect the country.
