Amid ongoing political tensions and calls for a boycott in India, Punjabi-language film Sardaar Ji 3, starring Diljit Dosanjh and Hania Aamir, has shattered records in Pakistan, becoming the highest first-day grosser for any Indian film released in the country.
Released exclusively in overseas markets on June 27 due to diplomatic strains between India and Pakistan, Sardaar Ji 3 earned an estimated Rs4.5 crore (USD 500,000) on its opening day in Pakistan, according to industry insiders.
The film’s debut surpassed the first-day box office collection of Salman Khan’s 2016 hit Sultan, which previously held the record for the highest opening of any Indian film in Pakistan. The film’s strong start comes despite a declining cinema culture in the country, marked by inflation, a dwindling number of operational theatres, and a prolonged unofficial ban on Bollywood films.
Packed cinemas in urban Punjab signaled a warm reception, with Sardaar Ji 3 drawing audiences intrigued not just by its supernatural comedy plot but also the surrounding controversy over Pakistani actress Hania Aamir’s casting.
Read More: Sardaar Ji 3 Set for Pakistani Release on June 27 Amid Ban Controversy in India
In an interview, the film’s producer, Gunbir Singh Sidhu, acknowledged that while the film had a “phenomenal response” abroad, excluding the Indian market has cost them approximately 40% of expected earnings.
“Our previous film Jatt & Juliet 3 earned 40% of its revenue from India. That market is now closed to us,” Sidhu revealed.
He added that although the decision to cast a Pakistani actress was made when relations were normal, he would avoid such casting choices in the future due to rising political uncertainty.
Read More: Hania Aamir Confirmed in ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ Trailer with Diljit Dosanjh Despite India Ban
Actor-producer Diljit Dosanjh, breaking his silence in an interview with BBC Asian Network, said the decision to release the film outside India was made to recover heavy production costs.
“The film was shot in the UK when Indo-Pak ties were stable. We took a decision that would safeguard our investment,” Dosanjh explained.
Read More:
Sardaar Ji 3 has now become the third-highest overseas opener for a Punjabi-language film, following Jatt & Juliet 3 and Carry On Jatta. However, analysts note that the film launched on a Friday—a traditional peak box office day—while the other two were released mid-week.
Despite its absence in Indian theatres, the film’s roaring success in Pakistan and select overseas markets demonstrates the enduring appeal of Punjabi cinema and the unpredictable dynamics of cross-border artistic collaborations in South Asia
