Ranveer Singh’s blockbuster spy thriller Dhurandhar has landed in the middle of a major overseas controversy. Despite rewriting box office records back home, the film has reportedly been banned across several Middle Eastern countries, prompting India’s producers’ body to seek the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The ban affects key Gulf markets including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman — regions that traditionally contribute heavily to the overseas earnings of Hindi films.
IMPPA Seeks Government Intervention
The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) has formally written to the Prime Minister, urging diplomatic engagement to resolve the issue. In its appeal, the association described the ban as “unilateral and uncalled for”, arguing that it directly impacts creative freedom and commercial viability.
IMPPA highlighted that Dhurandhar was fully certified by India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) before release, questioning why friendly nations with strong cultural and economic ties to India would block the film’s screening.
IMPPA president Abhay Sinha stressed that the matter goes beyond one film and concerns the larger interests of the Indian film industry. The association has requested the government to use all possible diplomatic channels to engage with Gulf authorities and push for the ban to be lifted.
A Blockbuster Even Without Gulf Screens
Directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh, Dhurandhar released on December 5, 2025, and has since emerged as a full-blown box office phenomenon.
The film has:
- Crossed ₹1,200 crore worldwide
- Netted over ₹831 crore in India alone
- Become the highest-grossing Hindi film domestically
Remarkably, all of this has been achieved without a Middle East release, a region that often adds millions to big-ticket Bollywood films.
Financial Impact of the Ban
Trade analysts estimate that the Gulf ban may have cost Dhurandhar nearly $10 million in potential overseas revenue. Even so, its strong performance in India and markets like North America has underlined its massive audience pull and word-of-mouth appeal.
Why the Industry Is Concerned
Beyond the numbers, the controversy has raised larger questions about:
- Artistic freedom for Indian filmmakers abroad
- Consistency in certification and censorship standards
- The vulnerability of overseas box office revenues to geopolitical or cultural decisions
For now, the industry is watching closely to see whether diplomatic intervention can reopen Gulf theatres for Dhurandhar — a film that has already proven it can break records, even with doors closed in key global markets.
