“Your love has taken Sardaar Ji 3 to new heights."
Sardaar Ji 3 has smashed box office records in Pakistan, becoming the highest opening-day grosser for any Indian film in the country’s history.
Released on June 27, 2025, the Punjabi-language film collected around PKR 4.5 crore (£115,000) on its first day, according to industry estimates.
Starring Diljit Dosanjh, Hania Aamir, and Neeru Bajwa, the supernatural comedy has been widely embraced by Pakistani audiences, especially in the Punjab province.
Its opening day performance surpassed Salman Khan’s 2016 blockbuster Sultan.
The movie’s success comes despite a steep decline in Pakistan’s cinema sector, worsened by inflation and a continuing ban on mainstream Indian releases.
Numerous cinemas have shut down across the country, but Sardaar Ji 3 brought crowds back with packed screenings and excited fan response.
Hania Aamir’s presence has been a major talking point. Her performance also marks her debut in Indian Punjabi cinema.
Hania shared a heartfelt thank-you video on Instagram, praising Pakistani fans for their support.
She said: “Your love has taken Sardaar Ji 3 to new heights. It’s all because of you. I’m truly grateful to each and every one of you.”
Critics have praised her screen presence and performance, calling it a strong and promising debut.
The film was not released in India due to tensions following the Pahalgam attack in April 2025, which affected cross-border cultural exchanges.
The trailer, which dropped in mid-June, stirred controversy in India, leading to widespread calls for a boycott from nationalist voices.
Many targeted Diljit Dosanjh for working with a Pakistani actress. Some even demanded the cancellation of his Indian citizenship.
Despite this, the film’s reception abroad has been overwhelmingly positive.
According to producer Gunbir Singh Sidhu, the absence of Indian distribution cost the film nearly 40% of its expected revenue.
Even so, the strong overseas showing, especially in Pakistan, suggests the film has managed to thrive against the odds.
In Pakistan, the response was positive. Audiences celebrated the film’s story, its humour, visuals, and the cross-border casting.
A fan said: “The film is amazing and the storyline is very interesting.
“Actually, I am a big Hania Aamir fan so that’s why I came on day first.”
Another stated: “It was a good comedy movie. We liked Hania and Nasir Chinyoti’s role.”
Sardaar Ji 3 proves that when compelling stories meet cultural connection, audiences will show up, even in strained times and uncertain markets.
And for now, this record-breaking run is a reminder that film can still cross borders, even when politics cannot.
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