The Indian Punjabi horror-comedy Sardaar Ji 3, starring Diljit Dosanjh and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, has garnered unprecedented levels of international success, crossing ₹51 crore in overseas earnings within just 15 days of its release, despite being banned in India, marking the cross-border project as the second highest-grossing Punjabi film in international markets, surpassing Carry on Jatta 3’s ₹46 crore and placing behind only Diljit’s Jatt & Juliet 3, which first broke the ₹51 crore barrier.

The film, released globally on June 27, 2025, earned $175,000 (approximately ₹1.5 crore) on a single Friday, contributing to its total overseas revenue of $6 million (₹51 crore). Its record-breaking performance in Pakistan, where it grossed PKR 3.5 crore (USD 125,000) on its opening day, set a new benchmark for an Indian film in the country, surpassing Salman Khan’s Sultan (2016).

The film’s exclusion from Indian theaters stemmed from controversy over Hania Aamir’s casting, following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which heightened India-Pakistan tensions. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) imposed a ban on Pakistani artists, leading producers to forgo a domestic release to avoid backlash. Despite this, Sardaar Ji 3 has resonated with international audiences, particularly in Pakistan, where sold-out screenings reflected strong cross-border appeal.

Amar Hundal as the director, the film follows ghost hunter Jaggi (Diljit) tackling a haunted UK castle alongside co-stars Neeru Bajwa and Hania Aamir, whose chemistry has been praised for adding charm to the horror-comedy. Producer Gunbir Singh Sidhu noted a 40% revenue loss due to the India ban, estimating a potential ₹40 crore from the domestic market based on Jatt & Juliet 3’s performance. Nevertheless, the film’s global success underscores the growing influence of Punjabi cinema and the power of cross-border storytelling.