Producer Bhushan Kumar has received conditional approval from the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) to continue filming Border 2 with Diljit Dosanjh, amid an ongoing industry-wide ban on the actor. The ban was enforced after Dosanjh cast Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3, drawing backlash from FWICE and its affiliated bodies. These organizations had issued a non-cooperation directive against him, citing the industry’s informal policy of not working with Pakistani artists following terror attacks like the one in Pahalgam earlier this year.
In an effort to avoid halting production, Bhushan Kumar personally approached FWICE and submitted a written assurance that he would never work with Diljit Dosanjh again after the completion of Border 2. According to FWICE president BN Tiwari, the decision to allow Dosanjh to finish his remaining scenes reportedly just a song sequence, was made purely to avoid loss and disruption, as nearly 85% of the film had already been shot. The film also stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty.
Despite this temporary relaxation, FWICE clarified that the non-cooperation order against Diljit remains in force for all future projects. Ashoke Pandit, an advisor to the federation, warned that any production house or filmmaker that chooses to work with Dosanjh in the future will face serious consequences, including potential disruptions and lack of support from the worker unions.
The permission granted for Border 2 is an isolated exception, not a lifting of the ban. Bhushan Kumar’s commitment to not casting Diljit in future projects was a key factor in this decision. FWICE emphasized that their primary aim is to stand by national sentiments and ensure the film industry doesn’t engage with talent from nations that have strained diplomatic relations with India.
This development ensures that Border 2, a sequel to the 1997 war film, stays on track for its planned release. However, it also reinforces the entertainment industry’s current climate, where political and patriotic sensitivities heavily influence casting decisions and creative collaborations.
