Diljit Dosanjh's "Sardaar Ji 3," a Punjabi film also starring Hania Aamir, has achieved a record-breaking feat in Pakistan, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film in the country. The film's success is particularly noteworthy considering it was not released in India due to political tensions and the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir.

Released internationally on June 27, 2025, "Sardaar Ji 3" has been met with packed cinemas across Pakistan. Industry estimates suggest the film earned approximately $500,000 (Rs 4.5 crore) on its opening day in Pakistan. This impressive debut surpasses the previous record held by Salman Khan's "Sultan," making "Sardaar Ji 3" the biggest opener for an Indian film in Pakistan.

The film's success in Pakistan is notable given the challenges facing the country's cinema sector, including high inflation and a ban on Bollywood films, which has led to the closure of numerous theaters. Despite these obstacles, "Sardaar Ji 3," a horror-comedy with a supernatural storyline also starring Neeru Bajwa, has resonated with Pakistani audiences, particularly in the urban centers of Punjab province, where Punjabi-language content enjoys a strong fan base.

Diljit Dosanjh shared his excitement over the film's reception in Pakistan by reposting a video on his Instagram stories showing enthusiastic audience reactions in a Pakistani theater. The video highlighted that the film was playing across 12 screens, the largest in the country, with an "overwhelming response".

The casting of Hania Aamir in "Sardaar Ji 3" sparked controversy in India amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, leading to calls for a boycott of the film. Several film bodies in India have imposed a ban on working with Pakistani artists. The controversy arose after the film's trailer was released on June 22, revealing Hania Aamir as the female lead. Due to the backlash, the film was not released in India.

Despite the controversy and lack of release in India, "Sardaar Ji 3" has performed well overseas. Globally, the film ranks third in terms of opening day earnings among Punjabi films, behind "Jatt & Juliet 3" and "Carry On Jatta". In its first two days, the film earned ₹11.03 crore worldwide, including ₹4.32 crore on Day 1 and ₹6.71 crore on Day 2.

Producer Gunbir Singh Sidhu acknowledged that the absence of the Indian market has resulted in an estimated 40% revenue loss for the film. He noted that "Jatt & Juliet 3" earned 40% of its revenue from India, a market that is now closed to them. Despite this, Diljit Dosanjh, in consultation with the producers, decided to release "Sardaar Ji 3" outside India.