Ranveer Singh's latest spy thriller, 'Dhurandhar,' directed by Aditya Dhar (of Uri: The Surgical Strike fame), has emerged as a major box office success in India, crossing the ₹200 crore net mark within a week. However, the film's international rollout has suffered a significant setback, being banned across six major Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations due to objections over its sensitive geopolitical theme.
The Six Countries That Banned 'Dhurandhar'
The film has been denied a theatrical release in the following six key Gulf markets, which traditionally contribute heavily to Bollywood's overseas revenue:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The Reason for the Ban: 'Anti-Pakistan' Messaging
Sources close to the production have confirmed that censorship authorities across all six territories universally denied clearance, citing the film's perceived "anti-Pakistan" messaging.
- Plot Focus: 'Dhurandhar' is a high-octane spy thriller reportedly inspired by real geopolitics and covert R&AW missions. The plot centers on an Indian officer (played by Ranveer Singh) who goes undercover in Pakistan, creating ripples across its criminal and political networks, with events reportedly inspired by Operation Lyari.
- Maker's Stance: Director Aditya Dhar has previously insisted that the film is "anti-terrorism, not anti-Pakistan," but the regional censor boards have maintained a strict policy against films that delve into the complex and sensitive India-Pakistan relationship in a manner they deem politically provocative.
Despite attempts by the filmmakers to secure a release, the consensus among the Gulf authorities led to a comprehensive ban, cutting the film off from a multi-million dollar revenue stream.
Not an Isolated Incident
The ban on 'Dhurandhar' is part of an emerging trend where Indian films dealing with cross-border themes face heightened scrutiny and often non-clearance in the Middle East.
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Recent Examples: Films like Fighter (which was initially released in the UAE but quickly pulled), Sky Force, The Diplomat, Article 370, and even Salman Khan's Tiger 3 have faced similar restrictions across the GCC region in recent years.
Box Office Performance
While the international ban represents a major commercial loss, particularly to the film's overall overseas collection, 'Dhurandhar' remains a triumph at the domestic box office.
- India Collection: Crossed the ₹200 crore net mark within its first week.
- Overseas Collection: Has earned an estimated ₹44.5 crore from the remaining international markets (excluding the six Gulf nations), proving its strong global appeal outside the Middle East.
