Dhurandhar Lands on Netflix in UAE After Theatrical Ban, Ranveer Singh’s Spy Hit Goes Global

Ranveer Singh Reportedly Exits Don 3
Image Credit: Dhurandhar/ JioStudios

After weeks of speculation and restricted access, Dhurandhar has finally opened its doors to viewers in the UAE—this time through OTT. The Ranveer Singh-led blockbuster has premiered on Netflix worldwide, including the Gulf region, where its theatrical release was earlier banned due to content concerns.

For fans in the UAE and other Gulf countries, this marks the first official opportunity to watch the much-talked-about spy thriller that dominated box office conversations back home.

From Box Office Storm to OTT Breakthrough

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar set sky-high benchmarks during its theatrical run, emerging as one of the biggest Hindi releases of the year. Even now, the film continues to screen in select theatres in India while sharing space with newer releases like Border 2 and Mardaani 3.

The Netflix premiere arrives as anticipation builds for Dhurandhar Part Two, officially turning the page from cinema halls to living rooms across the globe.

Why The Film Was Banned in the Gulf

Dhurandhar missed its entire theatrical run across the Gulf—UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman—due to its political storyline. The film was also banned in Pakistan.

The spy thriller revolves around Hamza Ali Mazari, played by Ranveer Singh, who infiltrates Pakistan’s underworld by joining the gang of feared gangster Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna). Hamza even marries into the family of a powerful Pakistani politician—only for it to be revealed later that he is an Indian spy leaking crucial intelligence.

The depiction of India–Pakistan tensions and undercover operations ultimately led to its ban across multiple territories.

Netflix Unlocks UAE Access

Despite the theatrical ban, Netflix’s global reach has now made Dhurandhar available to viewers in the UAE. The film is streaming in Hindi, along with Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions, giving audiences multiple language options. The development was confirmed by sources speaking to Zoom.

While the film remains unavailable in Pakistan, it is still unclear whether permissions have been sought—or granted—for a release there.

Censored or Uncut?

Soon after the OTT release, some viewers raised concerns online, claiming the Netflix version appeared censored. However, this was later clarified—the version streaming on Netflix is the same theatrical cut, with no additional edits.

The CBFC-approved runtime of 3 hours and 34 minutes remains intact, including the four-minute post-credit scene that directly sets up the sequel.

What’s Next: Dhurandhar Part Two

The second installment will pick up after Rehman Dakait’s death, shifting focus to Major Iqbal and introducing a new looming threat—Bade Sahab, whose identity was deliberately kept under wraps in Part One. Hamza will also face pressure without the political protection he once enjoyed from his father-in-law and SP Chaudhary, the notorious encounter cop.

Dhurandhar Part Two is slated for a March 19 theatrical release, promising a darker and more dangerous chapter ahead.

Star-Studded Cast

Alongside Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, Dhurandhar features Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi in key roles.

Final Words

With its Netflix debut in the UAE, Dhurandhar has crossed a major access barrier—proving once again how OTT platforms can reshape a film’s reach beyond theatrical restrictions. As the franchise gears up for its second chapter, the spy thriller’s global journey is far from over. For Gulf audiences who waited it out, the mission has finally gone live.

Anubhav

Anubhav Chauhan is a digital journalist, entertainment writer, and founder of Popcornrealm. Passionate about pop culture, films, and celebrity stories, he covers the latest updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, and the global entertainment industry like KPop. His articles aim to bring fast, factual, and engaging news to readers in a simple way. With years of experience in online media, Anubhav focuses on creating audience-centered stories that connect with everyday readers. His coverage includes movie reviews, K-pop trends, celebrity controversies, TV updates, and exclusive event reports. Anubhav’s goal is to make Popcornrealm a reliable hub for fans who want authentic, timely, and well-written entertainment news.