Entertainment
Sardaar Ji 3 Thrives Internationally Without Releasing in India
Diljit Dosanjh’s latest Punjabi comedy with a twist of horror, Sardaar Ji 3, is creating waves across global cinemas and surprisingly, it has done so without a single screening in India.
The film, which also stars Pakistan’s rising star Hania Aamir, premiered internationally on June 27 and earned nearly 5 million dollars within just 10 days. It has already become the highest-grossing Punjabi film of the year and ranks third in global openings for Punjabi-language films, just behind Jatt and Juliet 3. With its growing popularity, it might soon take the top spot in international markets.
Though the film was blocked in India, Sardaar Ji 3 received a warm welcome in North America, the UK, the Gulf region, and Pakistan. Pakistani audiences, especially, showed strong support, with theatres in major cities reporting sold-out shows. However, due to Muharram, box office numbers were not tracked during its first weekend.
The decision to withhold the film’s release in India came in the wake of rising political tensions following the Pahalgam incident. Film bodies reportedly advised the Indian censor board to deny approval. The trailer was blocked for Indian viewers, and industry groups like FWICE and AICWA criticized Diljit for working with a Pakistani actress.
Some even went as far as accusing him of collaborating with someone “linked to terrorism,” targeting Hania Aamir unfairly. Rumors followed that Diljit had been dropped from the film Border 2. But the actor quickly dispelled those claims by appearing in behind-the-scenes clips from No Entry 2 alongside stars like Varun Dhawan and Mona Singh.
Despite the uproar, Hania Aamir received praise from Pakistani stars including Mahira Khan, Mehwish Hayat, Aiman Khan, and Zara Noor Abbas. Diljit also had kind words for his co-star, calling her professional and easy to work with, even though they didn’t spend much time together on set.
Meanwhile, Neeru Bajwa, another lead in the film, quietly unfollowed Hania on Instagram and removed promotional posts, hinting at some internal discord.
Diljit stood by the filmmakers and their decision not to release in India, acknowledging the financial risks involved but stating that the situation was out of their control. He expressed full support for the producers.
Read more: ‘Sardaar Ji 3’ Collects 5 million USD Overseas Despite India
Entertainment
Mehwish Hayat Gives Fans a Glimpse of Her Off-Screen Bond With Fahad Mustafa
While audiences watched them battle zombies and navigate chaos on the big screen, the atmosphere behind the cameras was a lot lighter for Mehwish Hayat and Fahad Mustafa.
The stars of Zombeid, Pakistan’s much-talked-about zombie thriller, recently gave fans a glimpse into the fun and friendship that fueled the film’s production. Mehwish took to Instagram to share a collection of behind-the-scenes moments from the set, offering a refreshing look at the camaraderie that developed while filming one of the country’s most ambitious cinematic projects.
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Released on Eidul Azha, Zombeid quickly emerged as one of the most discussed Pakistani films of the holiday season. The movie, which blends horror, action and comedy, has been widely recognized as Pakistan’s first major zombie thriller and continues to attract audiences in cinemas across the country.
In her latest social media post, Mehwish shared a series of candid photographs and videos featuring herself and Fahad Mustafa. Since much of the film takes place inside a gym, several images showed the actors dressed in workout gear, laughing and enjoying breaks between scenes.
Among the highlights were snapshots of the pair riding a motorcycle together, Mehwish posing beside a bright yellow car, and a playful video showing the co-stars holding hands while suspended from a rope ladder during filming. The cheerful moments offered a sharp contrast to the high-stakes survival story portrayed on screen.
Reflecting on their experience, Mehwish referenced their characters, Zara and Wali, and revealed that the real story behind the cameras was filled with laughter rather than fear.
She wrote that while audiences saw the characters fighting for survival amid the zombie outbreak, the set itself was packed with fun memories, endless laughter, and Fahad Mustafa’s trademark sense of humor.
The actress went on to thank her co-star for bringing positive energy to every day of filming, affectionately describing him as the “most fun co-star” she could imagine surviving a zombie apocalypse with. According to Mehwish, the memories created during the project are ones she will cherish for years to come.
Fans were equally delighted by the friendly exchange that followed in the comments section. Fahad responded with a heartfelt message of appreciation, while Mehwish replied with a playful GIF calling him “my hero,” further highlighting the warm bond the two actors share off-screen.
The behind-the-scenes glimpse has only added to the excitement surrounding Zombeid, which remains in cinemas nationwide. The film has continued making headlines in recent weeks, particularly after Fahad Mustafa publicly urged authorities to ease austerity-related cinema timing restrictions in Punjab. His appeal was met with a positive response, leading to a relaxation of the curbs and providing a welcome boost for cinema owners and moviegoers alike.
Read more: You Won’t Believe Why Bushra Ansari Deleted Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa From Her Phone
Entertainment
“Gen Z Can’t Match My Legacy”: Meera
Veteran Pakistani actress Meera has once again found herself at the center of online conversation, proving that her star power remains as strong as ever. A recent viral social media post celebrating her contributions to the entertainment industry has reignited discussions about her lasting influence, with many fans arguing that today’s younger generation of celebrities still struggles to replicate the charisma and cultural impact she brought to the screen.
The widely circulated tribute described Meera as a phenomenon who captured public attention long before the era of viral trends, influencers, and social media fame. According to admirers, she was already commanding headlines and shaping pop culture at a time when celebrities relied solely on their talent and screen presence to stay relevant.
Supporters praised the actress for her decades-long journey in showbiz, highlighting her role during some of the most challenging periods in Pakistan’s film industry. The post suggested that while the local cinema landscape faced ups and downs over the years, performers like Meera continued to keep audiences engaged and contributed significantly to the industry’s survival.
Fans also applauded what they called her unmatched confidence, distinctive personality, and magnetic screen presence. Many social media users referred to her as “the original star,” arguing that her unique aura and ability to remain a topic of discussion after so many years set her apart from newer faces in the industry.
The renewed attention comes at a time when Meera has been actively promoting her latest film, Psycho, which has generated considerable buzz since its release. During a recent media interaction, the actress addressed criticism surrounding the project and did not hold back when responding to remarks she considered disrespectful.
The situation unfolded when a journalist referred to her as a “psycho” while discussing the film. Meera expressed disappointment over the comment, saying that artists and their work deserve greater respect and thoughtful discussion, particularly when they invest significant effort into challenging creative projects.
Speaking about Psycho, the actress revealed that the role was among the most demanding of her career. She explained that portraying the character required courage and emotional commitment, adding that the film explores themes that are rarely tackled in mainstream Pakistani cinema.
Meera also emphasized that audiences should recognize the dedication behind such productions rather than reduce them to jokes or headlines. She specifically acknowledged the efforts of her co-stars, including Shaan Shahid, and stressed that meaningful storytelling often requires artists to step outside their comfort zones and take creative risks.
Released on Eid-ul-Azha 2026, Psycho features Meera alongside Shaan Shahid and Sonya Hussyn. Since hitting cinemas, the film has remained a talking point among moviegoers and critics, fueling conversations about its themes, performances, and ambitious storytelling.
Read more: Meera Gets Upset After Being Insulted By Reporter
Entertainment
Irrfan Khan’s Widow Can’t Stop Praising This Pakistani Star
Sutapa Sikdar, the acclaimed screenwriter and widow of legendary actor Irrfan Khan, recently expressed her admiration for Pakistani actress Hajra Yamin’s work while commenting on a social media post discussing the actress’s performance in the Pakistani drama Doctor Bahu. Her words quickly caught the attention of drama lovers on both sides of the border.

Sharing her thoughts, Sikdar described Hajra as an “underrated gem,” praising her ability to elevate scenes regardless of the actors around her. She noted that she had watched the actress in several projects and was consistently impressed by the depth and commitment she brought to her performances.
According to Sikdar, Yamin’s command over her craft is so strong that she often shines even when paired with less experienced co-stars. At the same time, she observed that whenever Hajra worked alongside equally talented performers, the chemistry and impact of the scenes reached an entirely different level.
The veteran writer also reserved special praise for Doctor Bahu, calling it a thoughtfully written and skillfully directed drama. Her remarks highlighted not only her appreciation for Yamin’s talent but also her admiration for the quality of storytelling being produced in Pakistan.
Journalist Sadiq Saleem, whose Instagram post sparked the conversation, responded by saying that Hajra would be delighted to read such praise coming from someone associated with one of South Asia’s most respected artistic families. As it turned out, he was right.
Hajra Yamin later replied with a heartfelt message of gratitude, revealing how meaningful the recognition was for her. The actress shared that she had long admired the work of the late Irrfan Khan and considered herself both a fan and a student of his performances.
She thanked Sikdar for her support, describing the compliment as incredibly special given the immense respect she holds for Irrfan’s artistic legacy.
The exchange has also rekindled memories of a time when artists from Pakistan and India frequently celebrated each other’s work and collaborated across borders. Irrfan Khan himself was a symbol of that cultural connection. Throughout his career, he worked alongside several Pakistani stars, including Adnan Siddiqui in the film A Mighty Heart and Saba Qamar in the critically acclaimed Hindi Medium; his passing in 2020 was mourned deeply by audiences in both countries, reflecting the immense admiration he commanded across South Asia.
Read more: Hajra Yamin says industry hierarchies should not diminish an actor’s confidence
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