Ranveer Singh’s espionage action thriller Dhurandhar has hit a major snag in the Middle East, having roared to over ₹200 crore worldwide since its release on December 5, 2025. The film has been banned across six Gulf countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—due to its perceived anti-Pakistan narrative, according to reports on December 11, 2025. Despite the domestic triumph, the denial of release in this lucrative market, a key hub for Bollywood exports, could cap overseas earnings at ₹44 crore, far short of its potential.
The Content Controversy: Geopolitics Meets Cinema
Directed by Aditya Dhar and inspired by real events like Operation Lyari—a 2013 Pakistani crackdown on Karachi’s gangs—and alleged Indian intelligence involvement, Dhurandhar follows Singh as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, an Indian spy infiltrating Pakistan’s underworld to thwart attacks on India. The film’s portrayal of Pakistani elements as antagonistic, including Akshaye Khanna’s gangster Rehman Dakait, has drawn ire. “The theme was deemed unsuitable; authorities rejected it outright,” a source told Bollywood Hungama. This echoes past bans: Fighter (2024) was pulled for Pulwama references, Tiger 3 (2023) faced cuts in Oman and Qatar, and The Kashmir Files (2022) was initially barred in multiple GCC states. Even a revised submission by the Dhurandhar team, toning down sensitive scenes, was rebuffed.
Box Office Impact: Domestic Dominance vs. Overseas Loss
The ban stings in the Gulf, where Bollywood films often bring in 20–30% of overseas revenue. Dhurandhar’s strong Indian run—₹177 crore nett in Week 1—has been praised by Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan, but the absence from 1,000+ screens hurts. “It’s a missed opportunity; Gulf audiences love action thrillers,” trade analyst Komal Nahta noted. Co-stars Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal shine in the ensemble, but the film’s 214-minute runtime and A-rating may have compounded sensitivities.
Industry Echoes: A Pattern of Patriotic Pushback
This isn’t isolated; Article 370 (2024) and Sky Force were similarly snubbed for Pakistan-related content. Dhar, defending the film as “fiction from facts,” told Variety it honors “unsung heroes.” As Dhurandhar eyes ₹300 crore, the ban underscores Bollywood’s geopolitical tightrope.
A Banned Blaze: Dhurandhar’s Defiant Run
Dhurandhar’s Gulf snub isn’t a setback—it’s a spotlight. As borders block screens, it thunders: Can bans boost buzz? The spy saga’s surge affirms yes, scripting a triumph where shadows sharpen stories in cinema’s ceaseless clash.
-By Manoj H