- ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ Shines at the Box Office Despite Controversy Over Pakistani Star
Despite facing a storm of controversy over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, Sardaar Ji 3 is proving to be a box office success. The film, led by popular Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh, has been in the spotlight after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) upheld its ban on Pakistani artistes in the aftermath of the tragic Pahalgam attack.
While the film didn’t see an official release in India due to the ongoing row, it has managed to draw strong crowds internationally—especially in Pakistan, where audiences have shown overwhelming support. The horror-comedy managed to collect an impressive sum during its opening weekend, signaling that the political controversy hasn’t dampened public interest in the film.
- According to the film’s producers, Sardaar Ji 3 has amassed an impressive ₹18.1 crore globally within just three days of its release.
Kicking off with a “record-breaking” overseas debut of ₹4.32 crore on Friday (June 27), the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer gained further traction on Saturday, collecting ₹6.71 crore, and added another ₹7.07 crore on Sunday.
The strong weekend performance has put the film on track to potentially outshine the box office figures of its predecessors. However, industry insiders believe that the lack of an Indian theatrical release—due to the ongoing controversy—has significantly limited what could have been an even larger box office haul.
- In a notable achievement, Sardaar Ji 3 has also set a new benchmark by registering the highest-ever opening day for an Indian film in Pakistan.
As reported by India Today, the film earned ₹3.5 crore (PKR) on its first day in Pakistani theatres, overtaking the previous record set by Ali Abbas Zafar’s 2016 blockbuster Sultan, which had opened at ₹3.4 crore (PKR). With this, the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer has not only made headlines for its performance overseas but also cemented its place in cross-border box office history.
- Speaking to BBC Asian Network, Diljit Dosanjh broke his silence on the controversy, explaining that Sardaar Ji 3 was filmed in February, before tensions escalated. “At the time, the situation was normal,” he said. “What happened later was beyond our control.”
He added that after the Pahalgam attack, the producers realized the film couldn’t release in India and chose an overseas release instead. “They’ve invested a lot and will face losses by missing out on the Indian market,” Dosanjh said. “Since I signed the film when things were fine, I feel it’s only right to stand by them now.”
Despite the hurdles, Sardaar Ji 3 is proving that strong storytelling and star power can resonate beyond borders.