A New Milestone in Pakistani Cinema
Sardaar Ji 3 has carved its name in the annals of Pakistani cinema by becoming the highest-grossing Indian film ever in the country. This film, starring Diljit Dosanjh and featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, has already amassed a staggering PKR 40.50 crore as of yesterday. This achievement surpasses the previous record holder, Carry on Jatta 3, and places Sardaar Ji 3 at the fourth position overall in the country’s box office history. It is expected to soon overtake The Legend of Maula Jatt, securing the second spot.
The film was released three weeks ago and immediately made an impact. During its first week, it earned around PKR 21 crore, setting a strong foundation for its success. In the second week, the cinemas were closed on Saturday and Sunday due to Muharram, yet the film still managed to earn over PKR 9.50 crore. Now, in its third week, it has grossed PKR 10 crore in six days, with expectations of reaching PKR 11 crore for the full week. The drop from the first week is less than 50%, which is considered an excellent performance.
At this rate, the film is well on track to cross the PKR 50 crore mark and may even reach PKR 60 crore or more. This success highlights the growing popularity of Punjabi cinema in Pakistan, especially in the Punjab province, where the film accounts for over 85% of its total box office earnings. Lahore alone has contributed around PKR 25 crore, and the film is projected to surpass PKR 40 crore in its full run.
The Legend of Maula Jatt, which grossed close to PKR 60 crore during a year-long theatrical run in 2022, holds the title of the highest-grossing film in Lahore. For Sardaar Ji 3 to come close to this milestone is a significant achievement, showcasing the film’s immense appeal.
Top Indian Films in Pakistan
Here are the highest-grossing Indian films in Pakistan:
- Rank 1: Sardaar Ji 3 (2025) – PKR 40.50 crore (USD 1,427,000)
- Rank 2: Carry on Jatta 3 (2023) – PKR 40.00 crore (USD 1,412,000)
- Rank 3: Sanju (2018) – PKR 37.60 crore (USD 3,090,000)
- Rank 4: Sultan (2016) – PKR 33.80 crore (USD 3,233,000)
- Rank 5: Jatt and Juliet 3 (2024) – PKR 30.00 crore (USD 1,079,000)
- Rank 6: Dhoom 3 (2013) – PKR 25.00 crore (USD 2,356,000)
- Rank 7: PK (2014) – PKR 23.50 crore (USD 2,367,000)
- Rank 8: Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) – PKR 23.00 crore (USD 2,225,000)
- Rank 9: Padmaavat (2018) – PKR 23.00 crore (USD 2,082,000)
- Rank 10: Dilwale (2015) – PKR 22.75 crore (USD 2,175,000)
Geopolitical Context and Film Industry Trends
Since 2019, Bollywood films have been banned in Pakistan due to escalating geopolitical tensions. However, Punjabi films have continued to be shown under the guise of being produced in the UK or Canada. Unlike Bollywood, which once had a pan-national appeal, particularly in Sindh, Punjabi cinema has maintained a strong presence in the region.
If films like Pathaan or Jawan had been released in Pakistan, they could have potentially earned over PKR 150 crore. This highlights the untapped potential of the Pakistani market for Indian cinema, despite the existing restrictions.
Conclusion
Sardaar Ji 3’s success marks a turning point for Indian films in Pakistan. Its impressive box office performance and widespread appeal demonstrate the growing interest in Punjabi cinema among Pakistani audiences. As the film continues to break records, it sets a new benchmark for future collaborations between Indian and Pakistani filmmakers.
