The backlash stems from heightened Indo-Pak tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, after which a blanket ban on Pakistani artists was reinforced.
Though earlier reports suggested that Hania had been replaced in the film, the newly released Punjabi-language trailer confirms her presence, alongside veteran actress Neeru Bajwa, as Diljit's ghost-hunting sidekick Pinky.
The film, which was shot before the recent political conflict, features a subplot involving a haunted British palace and a romantic angle between Hania and Diljit. Responding to criticism, producer Gunbir Singh Sidhu stated that out of respect for Indian sentiment, the film will only be released overseas.
However, netizens remain enraged, especially recalling Hania's past comments during Operation Sindoor that labelled the Indian Army "cowardly." While art knows no borders, timing is everything. And in this case, Sardaar Ji 3 may have crossed an emotional one.