Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya has lashed out at actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh, using an old video clip from one of Diljit’s concerts to criticise him over the release of his latest Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3 featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the lead. In his post, Abhijeet featured Diljit’s performance of a line from the iconic poem by Rahat Indori, ‘Kisi ke baap ka Hindustan thodi hai,’ and added his own rebuttal: “Hindustan hamare baap ka hai… Hindustan hamare baap ke baap ke baap ke purvajo ka hai.” The video concluded with Abhijeet holding the Tiranga to the tune of ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’, captioned: “Hindustan Hamare BAAP ka hai..”Abhijeet’s outrage follows Sardaar Ji 3 casting rowWhile the concert clip is not recent, Abhijeet’s sudden reaction appears to be linked to the backlash against Sardaar Ji 3. Many social media users including celebrities criticised the collaboration between Diljit and Hania Aamir, given the strained political relationship between India and Pakistan. The makers of Sardaar Ji 3 have skipped a theatrical release in India due to the backlash, opting instead for an overseas release, where Diljit enjoys a massive fan following across North America, the UK, and Australia.
The origin of the viral lineDiljit originally recited the Rahat Indori verse during his Indore concert last December, responding indirectly to protests by Bajrang Dal, who objected to alcohol and meat being served at the event. His performance included, “Agar khilaaf hai hone do, jaan thodi hai… Sab ka khoon hai shaamil yahaan ki mitti mein, kisi ke baap ka Hindustan thodi hai.”The moment was widely applauded by fans for its poetic defiance and was not intended as a political or anti-national statement.Imtiaz Ali supports DiljitFilmmaker Imtiaz Ali, who directed Diljit in Amar Singh Chamkila, defended the singer-actor during a recent interaction. He said: “I don’t know the details, but I know that uske andar desh prem bahut zyada hai (he truly loves his country). Jo log dekh paayenge unke andar ke sach ko, unko ye samajh mein aa jaayega (Those who can see the truth will understand).”Imtiaz also emphasized that Diljit doesn’t fake anything: “Fakeness ke saath woh kuch nahi karta. At the end of all his concerts, he says, ‘Main hoon Punjab’ while holding the Indian flag.”
