Diljit’s BTS clip from Border 2 set puts exit rumours to rest

BOMBAY TIMES (July 5, 2025)

A day after Diljit Dosanjh shut down rumours of his exit from Border 2 by posting a BTS video from the film’s set, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) officially lifted its ban on him, clearing the way for him to resume work on the project. The ban was imposed following backlash over the release of Sardaar Ji 3 that features Pakistani artiste Hania Aamir. However, the truce appears temporary.

The decision was taken after Border 2 producer Bhushan Kumar told the federation that 80% of the scenes with Diljit had already been shot, and that he would not work with Dosanjh in the future. In a written statement submitted to FWICE, Bhushan Kumar reportedly said he would “never cast Diljit Dosanjh in future films.”

FWICE president Birendra Nath Tiwari was quoted as saying that the decision to lift the ban came after two meetings with Kumar, who explained that the film was already 80-85% complete. “They’ve already shot Diljit’s portions, and only a song remains,” Tiwari said.

“At this stage, he can’t replace him, but Bhushan Kumar assured us he won’t work with anyone who is in the middle of a dispute again.” The federation, however, made clear that the exemption applies only to the current project.
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (July 4, 2025)

Diljit Dosanjh has quashed all rumours of his exit from Border 2 with some behind-the-scenes footage that he shared on Instagram.

In the video posted on Wednesday, Diljit is seen in a cadet’s service dress, walking onto the set flanked by his security team. The iconic song Sandese Aate Hain from the original 1997 blockbuster plays in the background.

The actor is seen twirling his moustache and sharing light moments on set with what seem to be young cadets. The caption simply reads “Border 2” along with a clapboard emoji.

Diljit came under fire recently for the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in his film Sardaar Ji 3, which he’s also co-producing. Despite the backlash, a well-placed source had confirmed to us that he was still part of the Anurag Singh directorial.

The source told us, “There is no plan to replace or remove Diljit. The announcement about his casting was made almost nine months back, before any of the unfortunate situations happened. Almost 40-50% of the film’s shooting has already been done, so making any change now is not possible.”

The sequel to Border is set against the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War and also stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty in pivotal roles.
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Film federations say they have taken the makers’ requests into consideration and have greenlit the film
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 4, 2025)

Amid controversy around singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh’s involvement in Border 2, film bodies have now granted the makers permission to go ahead with the film’s release with him in the cast.

The move comes as a relief to the film’s makers after uproar over Diljit’s casting intensified last week. “We had three-four meetings with T-Series (the film’s co-producers), where they told us that the film is nearing completion,”

Birendra Nath Tiwari, president of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) tells us, adding, “They also informed us that Diljit only had two-three days of work left. Since it doesn’t star any Pakistani artistes and is a patriotic movie, we allowed them to go ahead.”

Ashoke Pandit, president of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) shares, “It’s a big cast of actors. Bhushan (Kumar, owner of T-Series) said matching dates of every actor for a reshoot would mean the film will get pushed. We’re not here to harass producers, but the boycott on Diljit continues.”

In a previous letter, FWICE requested Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw the makers’ permission to shoot at the National Defence Academy in Pune, owing to the actor’s presence. However, Ashoke now confirms that “the shoot can continue.” Tiwari, adds that Diljit must not feature in any new projects. “All his new projects will be opposed, especially where a change in cast is possible. Director Imtiaz Ali’s next film can’t go ahead if Diljit stars in it.”