The Punjabi-language movie Sardaar Ji 3, starring Hania Aamir, has shattered previous box office records in Pakistan, becoming the highest-earning Indian film on its opening day within the country.
The film, which premiered internationally—including in Pakistan—on June 27, amassed nearly Rs4.5 crore (approximately $500,000 USD) within its first 24 hours, according to figures shared by film industry trackers.
Due to escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan—particularly following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam—Sardaar Ji 3 never saw a theatrical release in India.
However, Pakistani cinemas experienced packed houses, with viewers flocking to theatres, especially in Punjab’s main cities.
This impressive start places the movie ahead of Salman Khan’s 2016 hit Sultan, which had long held the record for the most successful Indian film opening day .
Starring Diljit Dosanjh and Neeru Bajwa, and with a storyline woven around supernatural elements, the movie’s hype was further intensified by the off-screen controversies surrounding Hania Aamir’s casting.
Political criticism in India coupled with social media chatter seem to have only added to the public’s curiosity in Pakistan.
The local cinema industry, already struggling due to inflation and an ongoing ban on Bollywood releases, witnessed a rare moment of full houses thanks to Sardaar Ji 3.
Producer Admits Major Revenue Hit After Losing Indian Market
Despite the film’s roaring success abroad, producer Gunbir Singh Sidhu confirmed in an interview with an Indian media outlet that missing out on the Indian audience had significantly affected their earnings.
According to Sidhu, the production suffered an estimated 40 percent revenue loss, compared to their previous projects like Jatt & Juliet 3, which had heavily relied on the Indian market for box office returns.
“Given the current political environment, we won’t be casting Hania Aamir again for future films,” Sidhu stated, expressing regret over the lost market reach.
Diljit Dosanjh Explains Overseas Release Strategy
Diljit Dosanjh also addressed the issue during a conversation with BBC Asian Network. He revealed that the decision to release the film exclusively in international markets was made after careful consultation with the producers.
He added that the film’s shooting took place in the UK during a time when relations between the two neighboring countries were relatively stable.
Strong International Debut Despite Challenges
Despite the hurdles, Sardaar Ji 3 has secured its position as the third-highest overseas opener for a Punjabi-language film. It now stands behind Jatt & Juliet 3 and Carry On Jatta, both of which had mid-week launches, while Sardaar Ji 3 benefited from a more audience-heavy Friday release.
Analysts believe the movie’s Pakistani box office performance highlights both the region’s consistent appetite for Punjabi cinema and the increasing complications artists face when working across politically tense borders.
