26062025-LSTC-01.qxd 6/25/2025 7:46 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE SHUKLA’S SRK CONNECTION Shining star Life Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the pilot of the Axiom Mission 4, shared his favourite song ahead of the launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. He revealed that he loves to listen to Shah Rukh Khan’s Swades movie song Yuh Hi Chala Chal. The song was composed by AR Rahman. Jacqueline Fernandez was honoured at the ongoing Italian Global Series Festival 2025 on Tuesday. The actress took to Instagram to share the photos from the festival’s opening night. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 26 JUNE 2025 ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ABIR GULAAL VEERE DI WEDDING AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL LOVE AAJ KAL ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ As Diljit Dosanjh talks about Hania Aamir casting controversy in Sardaar Ji 3, here’a look at Bollywood films caught in cross-border tensions Yathesht Pratiraj Phool B OLLYWOOD knows how to tell a good story. But sometimes, the real drama plays out off-screen. And often, it’s far messier than anything scripted. Especially when geopolitics creeps onto the set. For years, Bollywood has found itself caught between two forces—creative freedom and national sentiment. And nowhere is this tug-ofwar more obvious than in the heated debates around Pakistani actors starring in Indian films. It’s not about the acting chops — most of these artistes are talented. The problem? Geopolitics. Let’s take a closer look. Diljit-Hania controversy rages on When a trailer sparks a firestorm Diljit Dosanjh has a reputation for walking the fine line between heart and humour — so when he dropped the trailer for Sardaarji 3, fans were expecting laughs from the horror-comedy. What they weren’t expecting? A fullblown controversy. The trigger? Pakistani actress Hania Aamir stars in the film. That detail alone sent social media into overdrive. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) swooped in, urging the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to block the release. Boycott hashtags started trending. Artistes, including singer B Praak, posted cryptic stories that fans quickly decoded as disapproval. Result? The film’s India release was shelved. It’ll premiere only overseas. Not the first, definitely not the last FWICE’S LETTER TO BORDER 2 MAKERS The Federation of Western lndia Cine Employees (FWICE) has objected to the casting of Diljit Dosanjh in Border 2. In a letter, sent to Border 2 producers on Tuesday evening, the FWICE said it is ‘deeply disappointed and concerned’ by the casting of Dosanjh in the movie. “This casting decision is in blatant violation of FWICE’s official directive to boycott Diljit Dosanjh, which was issued after his unpatriotic act of working with a Pakistani actress, Hania Aamir, in the film Sardaar Ji 3, read the letter. Produced by JP Films and T-Series, Border 2 is a sequel to the 1997 war drama from filmmaker JP Dutta. Dosanjh had joined the project in September last year and will feature alongside Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan and Ahan Shetty. WHO SAID WHAT Mika Singh called Diljit Dosanjh a ‘fake singer’ and ‘irresponsible’ after the singer-actor collaborated with the Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3. Taking to his Instagram handle, the singer shared a long note. Titled Desh Pehle (Nation First), the note read, “Guys, as we all know, the relationship between India and Pakistan isn’t going well right now. Yet, some people continue to act irresponsibly. Before releasing any content that involves artists from across the border, they should think twice especially when our nation’s dignity is involved.” ■ B Praak took a swipe at artistes’ choices and sense of responsibility amid the ongoing controversy. Posting to his Instagram handle, the singer shared a cryptic message criticising the artistes for selling their ‘conscience’. Netizens speculate that B Praak’s recent comment is allegedly pointed at singer Diljit Dosanjh amid ongoing controversy around his film, Sardaar Ji 3. B Praak’s post read, “Kayin artist Apna zameer he Bech Chuke Ne Fiteh Mooh Tuhade. (Many Artists have sold their conscience. Shame on them). ■ Unfortunately, Sardarji 3 isn’t a one-off. Let’s rewind a bit. Remember Abir Gulaal? No? That’s because it never got the chance. The film, starring Fawad Khan (yes, ‘that’ Fawad Khan), was pulled before release following a terror attack in Pahalgam in April. Public sentiment turned volatile and the ban on Pakistani artistes — which had been simmering — got reheated. Hard. The movie’s music disappeared from Indian streaming platforms. Promotional efforts were scrubbed. It was like the film had been erased before anyone could judge it on merit. ‘MAKERS INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY’ Hania & Diljit in Sardaar Ji 3 CRYPTIC NOTE The FWICE issued a sharp condemnation of the film’s makers, including Diljit, urging top government officials to take strict action. Amid the uproar, Diljit posted a cryptic message on Instagram: “Censored before release?” Diljit Dosanjh in an interview with BBC Asian Network said, “Jab yeh film bani thi tab situation sab theek tha. We shot this in February and then everything was fine. Uske baad, bohut saari, badi cheezein humare haath mein nahin hain. Toh producers ne decide kiya ki film obviously ab India mein toh nahin lagegi, toh overseas release karte hain. Toh producers ka bohut paisa laga hua hai aur jab yeh film bann rahi thi tab aisa kuch tha nahin. (When this film was made, Rom-coms aren’t safe either Jabariya Jodi wanted to be light-hearted. A fun rom-com with colourful sets and playful music. But even rom-coms aren’t immune to geopolitical tension. Pakistani actress Saba Qamar had a role in the film. And that, apparently, was enough to stir protests. Nationalist groups called for boycotts. Viewers questioned the film’s ‘loyalty’. The actual plot became an afterthought. Box office numbers took a hit. The movie wasn’t reviewed for its direction or dialogue. It was judged by association. everything was fine. We shot it in February and things were okay back then. 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, so they’ll release it overseas. The producers have invested a lot of money, and when the film was being made, nothing like this was happening).” He added, “If the producers want to release it abroad, I support them.” So even when the show goes on, the spotlight isn’t always on the performance. Even cameos aren’t safe anymore Let’s talk about Love Aaj Kal — the 2020 version. Ali Zafar had a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo. But even that was enough to trigger a debate. Some asked—Is it really the right time to be featuring Pakistani artistes, no matter how small the role? The film did okay commercially. But once again, the chatter was less about storytelling and more about nationality. Lights, camera… controversy? Sometimes, it doesn’t even take a release to stir trouble. Take Kesari, the Akshay Kumarled epic based on the Battle of Saragarhi. Originally, Ali Zafar — a Pakistani singer-actor — was supposed to be part of the cast. But before the cameras even started rolling, pressure mounted. He was replaced. It didn’t affect the storyline. The film did well. But the message was loud and clear: in today’s climate, casting isn’t just casting — it may become a political statement. When the storm doesn’t stop the show What’s really going on? Sometimes, though, the film does make it to the big screen — controversy and all. Veere Di Wedding managed to keep Ali Zafar in the cast despite the noise. Social media was a mess of angry threads and spirited defences. But the film stayed its course and released as planned. That said, the backlash still followed the actor, like a shadow. Public opinion was divided. And the online noise often drowned out any real conversations about the film itself. There’s a pattern here, and it’s hard to ignore. Films featuring Pakistani actors often find themselves at the mercy of political tempers — even if the film itself has nothing to do with international problems. Directors get stuck between artistic choices and public backlash. Audiences are torn between love for cinema and love for the country. And actors? They’re often the ones who pay the price — professionally and emotionally. Grammy winner Ricky Kej collaborates with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Sathyarthi for Gandhi—Mantras of Compassion music album Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej, Masa Takumi, BRIT Award-nominated cellist Tina Guo, and Nobel Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi collaborate for the album Gandhi—Mantras of Compassion, a musical tribute to the life and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. The musical album assembles the voices and talents of over 200 artistes worldwide to highlight Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence, peace, tolerance and environmental consciousness through music. According to a statement shared by the makers, the album is expected to serve as For the love of Gandhi a poignant reminder that Gandhi’s message remains as urgent and necessary today as ever. “Mahatma Gandhi inspired generations of changemakers, from Martin Luther King Jr to Nelson Mandela. This album is our humble offering to keep that flame alive. Music has the power to transcend boundaries, just as Gandhi’s message did,” said Ricky Kej as quoted in the statement. Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, whose life’s work has focused on children’s rights and peace, lends his voice and vision to the project. His collaboration underscores the album’s deeper mission to awaken global consciousness through art. “Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30th 1948. But the assassin did not know that some people never die. Gandhi is indeed one of them. His life lessons are universal and timeless. Gandhi will continue to guide us beyond geography, and through the ages,” said Kailash Satyarthi as quoted in a press note. In the album’s trailer description, Ricky Kej revealed the story behind his collaboration with the Nobel Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi. The musician and Nobel Prize Laureate’s collaboration started in 2024 when the duo attended a four-city concert tour across India. — ANI c m y b Kailash Satyarthi Ricky Kej