When a Punjabi turban steps into big-screen America and brings back applause, you know something special has happened. That’s exactly what Diljit Dosanjh has done with Sardaar Ji 3.
Over the weekend of June 27–29, this Punjabi horror-comedy grabbed an impressive $876,000 at the North American box office, becoming the only Indian film in the Top 12 across the US and Canada
Why this matters
Think about it: amidst the giant Marvel blockbusters, animated family flicks, and heavy Oscar hopefuls, a regional Punjabi film stood its ground, and actually shone.
It shows that audiences are open to diverse Indian voices, languages, and stories, even beyond Bollywood’s usual reach. This isn’t a one-time fluke; it’s a hint that regional cinema is ready to go global on its own terms.
Another victory for Punjabi pride
Diljit isn’t new to this spotlight. Remember:
- Coachella 2023: First Punjabi artist on that stage, crowd went berserk.
- The Tonight Show: Crackled with Punjabi jokes and ladoos with Jimmy Fallon.
- Grammy Week 2024: Sitting right alongside Recording Academy bigwigs.
- Dil-luminati tour: Half a million fans across the globe.
So yes, Sardaar Ji 3 is part two (well, part three) in a bigger narrative, Diljit is carving a global footprint without losing his desi soul.
Box office, controversy & heroics
Shot before diplomacy fell into a tailspin this spring, the film features Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. After the tragic Pahalgam attack on April 22, and rising tensions between India and Pakistan, many cried boycott. To avoid further heat, the team made a bold choice: no theatrical release in India.
Despite that, the film has:
- Earned ₹33.60 crore (about $4 million) overseas in just its first week
- Taken the Pakistan market by storm, smashing Salman Khan’s Sultan record with nearly ₹3 crore on day one, and crossing ₹9 crore in the weekend
- Grossed around $3 million abroad in five days, covering the US, Canada, Australia, Middle East, UK, Europe and Pakistan.
- Taken the title of third-highest opening ever for a Punjabi film globally.
Diljit explained in a BBC interview that the film was shot when things were peaceful in February. After the Pahalgam tragedy, “everything changed,” so releasing overseas was the safest bet to reach fans and recover costs.
Why do some feel uneasy
In India, the government had blacklisted several Pakistani YouTube channels (HUM TV, ARY Digital, Geo TV) and Instagram accounts of actors like Yumna Zaidi, Ahad Raza Mir, Saba Qamar, Mawra Hocane and Shahid Afridi, citing national security concerns after the Pahalgam incident
Just as Pakistan’s stars and news outlets were returning to Indian screens, a government “technical glitch” briefly unblocked them on July 2, only to re-block them soon after.
That drama caught people’s attention and some are wondering loud: Shouldn’t our focus be on celebrating Diljit’s success instead of indexing these bans and unbans?
Beyond the headlines
Yes, it’s interesting that Pakistani content popped back online by accident—and then disappeared again. But if we fixate on that, we’re sidelining the bigger story: a Punjabi film led by Diljit just proved that you don’t need a Bollywood-level budget or pan-India label to make global waves.
In a world full of caps, capes, and predictable sequels, a Sardar with a turban, a sense of humour, and a heart stole the spotlight.
What’s next?
Diljit’s journey is far from over:
Rumored collabs with big Indian directors like Imtiaz Ali.
Talk of possible Hollywood crossover projects.
And a global fanbase loving him for who he is a Punjabi guy with desi swag, humour and warmth.
Final thoughts
So here’s the simple truth: Sardaar Ji 3 is more than a box-office hit. It’s proof that regional language films can hold their own globally, rooted in culture and emotion without bowing to trends. It’s a reminder that Diljit isn’t just a face in Indian cinema, he’s a brand, a movement, a global ambassador of Punjab.
As for the fleeting drama around Pakistani accounts being blocked and unblocked? Let the politicians and news cycles chase it. Right now, we’re dancing to a Punjabi beat and the world is.