FWICE extends ban call to ‘Border 2’ over Diljit Dosanjh’s casting amid controversy

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has been in a brawl with actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh for the past few days, owing to Pakistani actor Hania Khan’s involvement in his upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3. With the threat of project bans looming over Dosanjh, the workers’ union has now shifted focus on his involvement in the Anurag Singh directorial Border 2.

FWICE sent a letter to the producers of Border 2—J.P. Films and T Series—calling their action a “blatant violation” of their directive to ban Dosanjh due to his “unpatriotic act of working with a Pakistani actress”.

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"By choosing to collaborate with an artist who has so brazenly ignored the ongoing tensions and national sentiment, your production has directly undermined the stand taken by the Indian film industry in solidarity with the nation," read the letter.

Border 2 is a sequel to the hit war drama Border, helmed by J. P. Dutta. The 1971 film recounted the Battle of Longewala during the Indo-Pak war. The sequel will see the return of Sunny Deol’s Major Chandpuri. Aside from Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan and Ahan Shetty will also feature in the film.

"It is all the more disturbing that a film like Border 2, which is supposed to honour the valour and sacrifice of Indian soldiers, has engaged an individual who has recently chosen to prioritise personal gain over national respect by associating with talent from a hostile nation," the letter continued.

Soon after the Pahalgam terror attack, FWICE announced a ban on Pakistani actors in India. Social media accounts of many Pakistani personalities, including Hania, Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar, Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, were withheld in India.

 

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