Amid ongoing controversy over the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir, ‘Sardaar Ji 3’, starring Diljit Dosanjh, has emerged as a box office success, raking in Rs 18.1 crore globally during its opening weekend. Despite not being released in India due to a ban imposed by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) on Pakistani artistes following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Punjabi horror-comedy has struck gold internationally, especially in Pakistan.
The film, which marks the third instalment in the popular ‘Sardaar Ji’ franchise, opened to a “record-breaking” overseas collection of Rs 4.32 crore on Friday, which climbed to Rs 6.71 crore on Saturday. By Sunday, it had earned an additional Rs 7.07 crore, taking its three-day worldwide total to Rs 18.1 crore, according to the Indian Express.
The absence of a domestic release due to political tensions has not dimmed the film’s appeal in global markets, particularly in Pakistan, where it made history. On its first day, ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ grossed PKR 3.5 crore, surpassing the previous record held by Salman Khan’s 2016 blockbuster ‘Sultan’, which opened at PKR 3.4 crore.
While the film enjoys commercial success, the controversy around it continues to swirl. Critics of the film have pointed to Hania Aamir’s inclusion as a violation of the FWICE’s standing ban on Pakistani talent. However, many in the film industry have spoken in support of the team, including veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. In a now-deleted Facebook post, Shah defended Diljit Dosanjh, arguing that he wasn’t responsible for the casting decisions.
“I stand firmly with Diljit,” Shah wrote. “He was not responsible for the casting… but no one knows who the director is, whereas Diljit is known the world over. He agreed to the cast because his mind is not poisoned,” he added.
As ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ continues its theatrical run overseas, it remains to be seen whether the film can surpass the earnings of its previous instalments, despite the absence of its key Indian audience.