While Diljit Dosanjh's latest film, Sardaar Ji 3, has not even been released in India, it has emerged to be the highest grossing Indian film in Pakistan. The film stirred a massive controversy after the Punjabi singer-actor shared the screen with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in it, despite the ban on Pakistani artists in India.
According to reports, Sardaar Ji 3 earned Rs 3 crore in Pakistan on its first day alone, making it the biggest opener for an Indian film in Pakistan. It shattered the record that was previously held by Salman Khan's 2016 film, Sultan.
The film has been going strong at the box office of the neighbouring country despite backlash in India, and reports also claim that theatres were running houseful shows in Pakistan for Sardaar Ji 3.
All about Sardaar Ji 3 controversy
While the film makes and breaks records overseas, Diljit has been facing boycott calls in his home country India for sharing the screen with a Pakistani actress in the film.
For those unversed, it was unanimously decided by Indian film bodies to not collaborate with Pakistani artists post the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack. But despite the decision, Diljit dropped the trailer of the film featuring Hania, and announced that Sardaar Ji 3 will only release overseas, and not in India, to respect the sentiments of Indians.
Could not afford financial loss: Diljit Dosanjh
Post the backlash, Diljit said in an interview with BBC that the film was shot before the Pahalgam attack and before the diplomatic ties worsened between the two countries. He also added that a lot of money was at stake and producers could not afford the loss if the film was junked, and thus, he decided to support them.
Sardaar Ji 3's co-producer also stated that he knew the people of India would be upset but they had no other alternative than releasing the film. He, however, promised that the makers won't collaborate with any other Pakistani artist going ahead.
