Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar is proving to be a strong box-office performer overseas. Within just four days, the action drama has earned Rs 44.08 crore internationally, signaling solid audience interest across key territories. However, the film’s overseas potential has taken a hit due to a complete blackout across the Gulf.
Gulf countries refuse release over film’s theme
Despite attempts by the makers, Dhurandhar did not secure clearance in any of the UAE/GCC nations — a region that often contributes heavily to Bollywood’s overseas revenue.A source informed Bollywood Hungama, “Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have not released Dhurandhar. There were apprehensions that this would happen as the film is perceived as an ‘anti-Pakistan film’. Also, in the past, such films have failed to procure a release in this region. Yet, the team of Dhurandhar made an attempt, but sadly, all the countries did not approve of the theme of the film. This is why Dhurandhar hasn’t been released in any of the Gulf countries.”The denial cuts the film off from one of Bollywood’s most dependable overseas circuits.Directed by Aditya Datt, Dhurandhar features Ranveer Singh as an Indian officer who covertly enters Pakistan and creates ripples across its criminal and political networks. The cast includes Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi.
Not the first film to face GCC bans
The Gulf rejection of Dhurandhar is part of an ongoing trend where politically sensitive Indian films are blocked from release in the region.Fighter (2024)The Hrithik Roshan–Deepika Padukone starrer initially cleared only in UAE but was later suspended. The makers submitted a revised version after removing “problematic” scenes, but even that was rejected.Sky Force & The Diplomat (2024)Both these Akshay Kumar and John Abraham films, respectively, were banned due to Pakistan-related content.Article 370 (2024)The political drama was refused certification across GCC markets. Tiger 3 (2023)Salman Khan’s Diwali release faced a ban in Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar.The Kashmir Files (2022)Initially banned across several Gulf countries; UAE later allowed it with an adults-only rating.
