Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar runs strong worldwide but blocked across Gulf nations! What triggered the decision?

Aditya Dhar’s action-packed espionage thriller Dhurandhar- featuring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi- has already raced past ₹230 crore worldwide within just five days. Blending high-octane drama with threads inspired by real geopolitical tensions and covert R&AW operations linked to Operation Lyari, a Pakistan-led crackdown on Karachi’s Lyari gangs, the film has struck a chord with audiences worldwide.

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Yet, even with strong global traction, the thriller has hit an unexpected wall: reports claim the film has been barred across all Gulf nations.

Why Dhurandhar Didn’t Make It to Gulf Screens?

A Bollywood Hungama report reveals that the movie amassed Rs 44.08 crore overseas in just four days - a figure that might have soared higher had the Gulf market been accessible. According to the report, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have all withheld its release.

A source quoted in the report explained that there were long-standing concerns about approval. 

As the film is perceived to be anti-Pakistan, the team anticipated hurdles based on the region’s history of blocking similar themes. The insider added that while the makers sought clearance, the film’s thematic approach was rejected across all Gulf countries, leading to a blanket non-release.

Not the First Bollywood Film Blocked in the Middle East!

This isn’t an isolated case. Bollywood has witnessed several Gulf bans in recent years. In 2024, Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s Fighter was initially banned across Gulf nations except the UAE after criticism in Pakistan alleged the film promoted an “anti-Pakistan” narrative based on its portrayal of the Pulwama attack. The UAE soon suspended its release as well, even refusing a re-edited cut.

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Similarly, Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force and John Abraham’s The Diplomat also faced restrictions in multiple Middle Eastern countries for their Pakistan-related storylines.