According to industry reports, Dhurandhar was certified by India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) ahead of its December 2025 theatrical release but has not been cleared for theatrical screening across six key Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Reports have suggested that the film’s alleged “anti-Pakistan” perception may have contributed to the outcome, though official explanations from Gulf authorities remain limited in the public domain. With approvals not coming through, distributors have been unable to open the film in these territories, effectively keeping it off screens in a region that is traditionally one of Bollywood’s most significant overseas markets.
IMPPA Writes to Prime Minister
The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), one of the country’s long-standing film producer bodies, has taken the unusual step of appealing directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In its communication, IMPPA has described the restriction as “unilateral and uncalled for,” arguing that it impacts the creators’ freedom of expression and the industry’s legitimate commercial interests.
The body has urged diplomatic engagement with the concerned countries to help resolve the issue and enable the film’s release. It also pointed to India’s broader economic, cultural and strategic ties with these nations, suggesting that such restrictions—if left unaddressed—could ripple beyond one film and influence future overseas prospects for Indian cinema.
Domestic Success Amid Overseas Setbacks
Despite the stalled Gulf rollout, Dhurandhar continues to attract audiences in India. Trade-tracker reporting indicates the film collected around ₹4.75 crore net on Day 33 of its run (a weekday figure), signalling sustained traction several weeks after release.
Industry reports also place the film’s worldwide gross in the ₹1,220–₹1,247 crore range, even without access to key Gulf markets. Analysts have noted that the exclusion from these territories likely capped a portion of its overseas potential, given the Gulf’s historically strong performance for mainstream Hindi releases.
Industry Reaction and Diplomacy
Bollywood trade voices have underlined the Middle East’s financial importance, particularly for large-scale action and patriotic titles. IMPPA’s appeal reflects a broader concern: when geopolitically sensitive narratives are interpreted unfavourably abroad, market access can tighten in ways that may set precedents for future releases.
As the situation develops, attention will remain on whether government-level engagement can shift the current stance and open the door for Dhurandhar to reach Gulf screens.
By – Sonali