Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh is currently at the centre of controversies, leading to speculation about his role in the upcoming war drama Border 2. Dosanjh is in the news off late for his latest Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, which features Pakistani actor Hania Aamir and has been released overseas despite calls for a ban by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).
FWICE has been vocal, demanding a ban on Diljit and even appealing to the government to revoke his passport and Indian citizenship. However, multiple media reports have different speculations about his future with the Border 2 movie.
According to one report by Times of India, Ammy Virk could be the replacement of Diljit Dosanjh in Border 2. The report claimed that Diljit has only shot for 3 to 4 scenes of the films so far. “Makers were contemplating replacing the actor, as right now they can easily reshoot those scenes. The makers are directly handling this matter and Ammy’s name cropped up in the discussion,” the TOI report further added.
However, a report by HT said that there is no plan to replace or remove Diljit from Border 2. “The announcement about his casting was made almost nine months back, before any of the unfortunate situations had happened. Almost 40-50 percent of the film’s shooting has already been done, so making any change at this point is not possible,” according to the report, citing a source.
Letter by FWICE
The FWICE has written a letter to Border 2 co-producer Bhushan Kumar and actor Sunny Deol and urged them to disassociate from Dosanjh. They have also appealed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw permission for Border 2‘s shooting at the National Defence Academy (NDA) premises in Pune, citing Dosanjh’s “unpatriotic act” of collaborating with a Pakistani artist.
The letter appealed to Deol’s patriotic image, stating, “Your decision to disassociate from this collaboration will reaffirm your enduring image as a true patriot and will send a strong message that national interest will always come before individual pursuits.”
It also addressed director Imtiaz Ali, who is reuniting with Diljit Dosanjh after Amar Singh Chamkila. FWICE said, “Your involvement risks sending a deeply conflicting message, especially given your influence as a director known for socially resonant themes. We, therefore, strongly appeal to you to reconsider your collaboration with Diljit Dosanjh and withdraw from associating with any artist who has been officially boycotted by FWICE. Upholding the dignity of our industry and the nation must remain paramount over professional or commercial interests.”