The highly anticipated Punjabi period drama 'Dastaar', starring Tarsem Jassar and Yograj Singh, has commenced its theatrical journey with a solid opening day at the box office. The film, which hit theatres on July 17, 2026, has recorded a net collection of Rs 2.1 crore on its first day across India.
This opening figure is particularly noteworthy given the challenges the film faced leading up to its release. The film was awaiting its censor certificate just days before the scheduled premiere, with the CBFC screening having taken place on July 8. Despite the uncertainty, the film's release proceeded as planned, and the strong Day 1 numbers reflect the audience's anticipation for this powerful narrative.
The period drama, directed by Amar Hundal and co-directed by Singh Balvir, is set in 1980s Britain and revolves around Harnek (played by Tarsem Jassar), a turbaned Sikh immigrant who loses his loved ones in a brutal racial attack. The film traces his transformation from a humble immigrant to a community leader, proving that one man's turban can become the crown of a community.
The film boasts an ensemble cast that includes Geet Goraya, Manjot Singh, Neeta Mohindra, Aman Sutdhar, Ashish Duggal, Aman Dhaliwal, Deepak Kamboj, Prete Bhutani, Arnold Baksi, and Manoj Anand. The screenplay is written by Dheeraj Kedarnath Rattan and Manila Rattan, with dialogues by Jatinder-Lall.
Produced by Gunbir Singh Sidhu and Manmord Sidhu under the banner of White Hill Studios, the film has received strong pre-release buzz, with over 15,000+ people showing interest on BookMyShow. The technical crew includes cinematographer C. Ram Prasad, editor Singh Gurjeet Hundal, and music composers Avvy Sra, Mxrci, Prini Siddhant Madhav, and Aden.
With the Day 1 collection of Rs 2.1 crore net, 'Dastaar' has set a strong foundation for its opening weekend. The film's gross collection on Day 1 stands at approximately Rs 2.47 crore, and the worldwide gross is estimated at Rs 2.7 crore. As the film enters its crucial first weekend, positive word-of-mouth and the compelling subject matter are expected to drive collections further.
Given its patriotic and emotional core, 'Dastaar' is poised to attract family audiences and diaspora viewers, potentially crossing the Rs 10 crore net mark by the end of its opening weekend. With no major Punjabi releases in the coming week, the film is well-positioned to maintain its momentum and emerge as a success at the box office.