Ranveer Singh’s new film Dhurandhar is performing exceptionally well not just in India but also internationally.
Within just four days of its release, the film has earned Rs44.08 crore overseas.
However, this revenue could have been significantly higher if the movie had been allowed to release in Gulf countries or the UAE and GCC region.
Sources reveal that Dhurandhar was not released in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Concerns arose because the film was being perceived as 'anti-Pakistan'.
Previously, films of a similar nature have faced obstacles in this region. Despite the team’s efforts, none of the Gulf countries approved the film’s content, which is why Dhurandhar could not release in any of these markets.
This is not the first time Indian films have faced bans in the Gulf. In 2024, Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s Fighter initially faced restrictions in all Gulf countries except the UAE. Certain segments of Pakistan objected to the depiction of the Pulwama attack, labeling it “anti-Pakistan propaganda.”
Interestingly, the UAE suspended Fighter just one day after its release. Filmmakers submitted a revised version to address the issue, but it was also rejected by the UAE authorities.
In the same year, Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force and John Abraham’s The Diplomat were also banned in several Middle Eastern countries due to content related to Pakistan.
Earlier, Article 370 (2024) did not receive certification from the GCC, Tiger 3 (2023) was banned in Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar, and The Kashmir Files (2022) was also barred in multiple Gulf countries. The UAE later allowed The Kashmir Files to release only with an adult audience certificate.
The repeated restrictions highlight the sensitivity of films with Pakistan-related themes in the Gulf region, impacting potential box office collections despite strong international demand.
