While Sardaar Ji 3 was denied a theatrical release in India, the film has taken Pakistan’s box office by storm. Released globally on June 27, 2025, the Diljit Dosanjh-led horror-comedy is drawing packed houses across Pakistani theatres.

On Friday, Cinegold Plex in Pakistan shared a clip showing a full house for the film, and Universal Cinemas echoed the excitement, posting footage of enthusiastic crowds. Diljit reshared the video on Instagram, which highlighted the film’s 12 screenings on ultra-wide screens — the largest in Pakistan — alongside the message, “The overwhelming response from the audience for 'Sardaar Ji 3'. Come and watch!”

The movie’s exceptional performance comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding its release. Diljit stars alongside Pakistani actor Hania Aamir, a casting choice that drew criticism in light of strained relations between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had earlier appealed to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to block the film's release in India.

Producers, anticipating the challenges, decided to release the film exclusively overseas.

Despite the tension, Sardaar Ji 3 has had an explosive start in Pakistan. It reportedly grossed around $500,000 on opening day, setting a new record for the highest first-day collection by any Indian film in the country — beating out previous hits like Sultan.

On a global scale, the movie has achieved the third-best opening day for a Punjabi film, trailing only Jatt & Juliet 3 and Carry On Jatta. Industry trackers expect the momentum to grow over the weekend, especially given its strategic Friday release.

Speaking to BBC Asian Network, Diljit addressed the controversy and clarified the timeline. “When the movie was filmed in February, there were no issues. The problems that followed were unpredictable and out of anyone’s hands. That’s why the producers decided to go ahead with an international release. They had already invested significantly in the project,” he said.

He emphasized that the decision to limit the release to international markets was entirely the producers’ call — a move he supports, especially given the circumstances that developed post-production. "At the time I signed on, everything was fine. The situation changed later," he added.