Ajay Devgn on the Hania Aamir–Diljit Dosanjh Backlash: “They Need a Conversation”

The energy at the Son of Sardaar 2 trailer launch wasn’t exactly supposed to be political. But when you’re Ajay Devgn, a veteran of both war dramas and PR battles, you know the questions are coming. And sure enough, the minute mics were up and flashbulbs started blinking, the elephant in the Punjabi cinema room came sauntering in: Diljit Dosanjh, Hania Aamir, and that simmering controversy around Sardaar Ji 3.

Now, let’s rewind a second. For those not plugged into every detail of filmi Twitter, Sardaar Ji 3 has become ground zero for a curious clash of art, nationalism, and timing. Diljit, who’s basically desi pop royalty at this point, cast rising Pakistani star Hania Aamir opposite him. And while the film rolled out abroad with applause and popcorn, its India release hit a wall—literally—post the tragic Pahalgam terror attack. Cue the usual suspects: angry hashtags, boycott calls, and industry bodies flexing their nationalist credentials.

So when a reporter asked Ajay about the Hania-Diljit firestorm, the room held its breath. And in true Devgn fashion—measured, lowkey alpha, no headline-chasing—he delivered.

“I don’t know where the trolling comes from, what is right and what is wrong,” he said, looking a bit like he’d rather be back on his bike in Golmaal. “I’m not in his shoes to comment. He would’ve had his problems… people are thinking from their point of view.”

That’s Ajay for you—never one to throw shade, but never shying away either. What he did do was something a lot of his contemporaries avoid: he advocated for dialogue. Actual, grown-up, behind-closed-doors, ‘let’s talk it out’ conversation. “I’ll not blame anybody,” he added, “They need a conversation.” Not exactly juicy, but deeply telling.

Off-record, a producer friend in the crowd muttered, “That’s Devgn being Switzerland. But it works.”

And honestly, he’s not wrong. Because behind Ajay’s diplomatic poker face is a man who’s seen this rodeo before. He was part of the generation that watched cross-border collaborations rise and fall like monsoon tides. The vibe back in the Veer-Zaara era was open arms and Sufi soundtracks. Then came 2016, and the gates slammed shut. Now? It’s messy. Emotional. Political. And fans, more vocal and polarized than ever, are watching every move.

But there’s a twist here. Unlike some peers who may have doubled down with patriotic one-liners or grand gestures, Ajay chose restraint. That’s significant. Especially in today’s clickbait circus, where even blink-and-you-miss-it moments become trending debates.

Back to Diljit for a sec. While his India release stalls, support is trickling in. Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab CM, backed him hard, reminding folks that Sardaar Ji 3 was filmed way before the April attack. Even Naseeruddin Shah, never shy with his opinions, blasted critics with a stinging “Go to Kailasa” jab, defending Diljit’s artistic choice.

But what’s really at play here isn’t just a casting decision. It’s about who gets to tell stories, who gets to collaborate, and how far art should bend to geopolitics. Ajay, with his understated cool, kind of said the quiet part out loud. That sometimes, no matter how hot the headlines burn, the only real solution is to get the key players in a room and just talk.

And maybe that’s the energy we need more of in 2025. Not outrage. Not bans. Just actual conversations between people who know what it takes to make a film, cross borders, and survive the noise.

Meanwhile, Devgn’s got his own sequel to sell, swaggering back as Jassi with full-on Sunny Deol spoofs and a twinkle in his eye. And maybe that’s his secret: keep the chest-puffing on screen, and let the off-screen politics play out over tea, not Twitter.

---

Stay updated with the latest in fashion, lifestyle, and celebrity stories—straight from the world of Debonair. Follow us on Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, Youtube, and Linkedin for daily style and culture drops.