Dhurandhar Banned in Six Gulf Countries: Here’s Why

Ranveer Singh’s purple patch at the box office continues unabated, and his latest outing Dhurandhar has only reinforced his star power. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the gritty spy thriller stormed cinemas in India with houseful shows and strong word of mouth, emerging as one of the biggest commercial successes of the year. However, while the film is soaring domestically, its international journey has hit a significant hurdle, particularly in the Middle East.

Released amid high expectations, Dhurandhar opened to an enthusiastic response from audiences who praised its sharp storytelling, intense action, and grounded treatment of espionage. The film boasts a powerful ensemble cast featuring Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun, all of whom have been lauded for their performances.

Within just seven days, the film crossed the ₹200 crore net mark in India, maintaining steady collections even on weekdays. Overseas too, Dhurandhar showed promise by earning over ₹44 crore, despite being absent from one of Bollywood’s most lucrative international territories.

Six Gulf Countries Say No to Dhurandhar

According to industry and trade reports, Dhurandhar has been denied theatrical release across six Gulf nations. The countries where the film reportedly failed to receive certification are:

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

These regions, especially the UAE-GCC belt, traditionally contribute a substantial share to Bollywood’s overseas earnings. The absence of Dhurandhar from these markets is therefore seen as a major missed opportunity in terms of global box office potential.

Why Was the Film Not Approved?

Reports suggest that the decision stems from concerns over the film’s political and geopolitical themes. Authorities in the Gulf allegedly viewed the narrative as sensitive due to its perceived anti-Pakistan undertones and portrayal of regional intelligence operations.

Sources claim that the makers actively tried to secure clearance, fully aware of how crucial the Gulf market is for overseas revenue. However, none of the certification boards across these countries reportedly approved the film, citing issues with its subject matter and depiction of cross-border conflicts.

Inspiration Rooted in Real-World Events

Dhurandhar is said to be inspired by real intelligence missions and covert operations, with narrative elements linked to Operation Lyari — a Pakistan-led crackdown on criminal networks in Karachi. The storyline revolves around Hamza Ali Mazari, portrayed by Ranveer Singh, an Indian intelligence officer sent undercover into Karachi as part of Operation Dhurandhar.

Disguised as a Pakistani national, Hamza infiltrates terror and crime networks in the Lyari area, navigating a dangerous world of espionage, betrayal, and violence. His mission brings him face-to-face with Major Iqbal, an ISI officer who is determined to undermine India. The film blends fictional drama with real-world inspiration, amplifying political intrigue and high-stakes action.

Not the First Time for Bollywood

The ban on Dhurandhar is not an isolated incident. In the past, several Hindi films with political or national security themes have faced restrictions, bans, or edits in parts of the Middle East. Titles such as Fighter, Sky Force, The Diplomat, Article 370, Tiger 3, and The Kashmir Files encountered similar challenges due to their content.

Box Office Impact Despite the Setback

Even without a Gulf release, Dhurandhar has posted impressive figures:

Crossed ₹100 crore in India within its first week

Collected over ₹44 crore overseas in just four days

Expected to breach the ₹200 crore global mark within a week

Trade analysts believe the film’s international earnings could have been significantly higher had it released across the GCC nations.