Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3 has sparked a fresh debate over artistic freedom and censorship after veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah’s Facebook post in support of the film was allegedly removed from the platform.

The post backed Dosanjh’s decision to release the film overseas rather than in India following mounting backlash over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir.

Shah, known for his outspoken views, criticised what he called attempts to sever personal ties between Indians and Pakistanis.

In his now-deleted Facebook post, he wrote: “What these goons want is to put an end to personal interaction between the people of India and Pakistan. I have close relatives and some dear friends there and no one can stop me from meeting them or sending them love whenever I feel like it.”

Shah also took a sharp jab at detractors, saying, “And my response to those who will say ‘Go to Pakistan’ is ‘GO TO KAILASA’,” referencing self-styled godman Nithyananda’s fictional ‘nation’ of Kailasa.

There has been no official response from Facebook or its parent company Meta regarding the removal of the post. It remains unclear whether the content was taken down due to platform policy enforcement, government pressure, or external reporting.

Naseeruddin Shah’s now-deleted post backing Dosanjh.

Sardaar Ji 3, which stars Dosanjh and Hania Aamir, has been at the centre of a growing controversy, with right-wing groups criticising the inclusion of a Pakistani actress, especially in the wake of the recent India-Pakistan military skirmish.

The film’s producers ultimately chose to release the film exclusively in international markets on June 27, citing business concerns and a volatile domestic environment.

Dosanjh defended the move, noting that the film was completed before tensions escalated and that the backlash was neither anticipated nor warranted.

Other prominent industry figures, including lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar and filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, have also expressed support for Dosanjh.

In an op-ed for The Indian Express, Shah doubled down on his stance, writing, “I was born in India into the fifth generation of a Muslim family, my wife into an even older Hindu one and we hope our children can be a combination of the best of both.”

He emphasised that his patriotism does not require validation, noting that his father stayed in India when others in the family migrated to Pakistan after Partition.

Addressing the criticism he received for supporting Dosanjh, Shah said he was not surprised by the silence of the film industry, stating, “They all either have too much to lose or they disagree.”

Shah’s brother, Lieutenant General (retired) Zameeruddin Shah, echoed his sentiments, writing that both he and Naseeruddin grew up in an India “insulated from the bigotry” that now seems increasingly common. He added that while most of his experience in the army was free of such prejudice, some views shared anonymously on platforms like WhatsApp revealed a troubling shift.

This incident comes against a backdrop of escalating cultural and diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.

In recent years, the Indian government has imposed sweeping bans on Pakistani artists, YouTube channels, and social media accounts.

While these bans have at times been inconsistently implemented—some briefly lifted and then reimposed—New Delhi’s position remains ambiguous. For instance, despite cultural restrictions, India is reportedly set to allow the Pakistani hockey team to participate in upcoming events, further muddying the waters on its broader policy direction.

As the debate intensifies, the controversy around Sardaar Ji 3 reflects the larger question of where artistic expression stands in today’s politically charged climate—and whether platforms like Facebook are enabling or stifling those voices.