6 Gulf Countries Ban Ranveer Singh-Akshaye Khanna Starrer Dhurandhar: Here's Why

Ranveer Singh's big-ticket spy thriller Dhurandhar has turned into a major box office force at home - but its global march has hit a wall in the Gulf, where censors in six countries have barred the film over alleged anti-Pakistan themes.

The move has shut Dhurandhar out of one of Hindi cinema's most lucrative overseas territories. Yet, the film's momentum in India remains untouched. Trade estimates show that Dhurandhar surged past the ₹200 crore net milestone within its first week, marking a powerful start for the thriller. Overseas, despite missing Gulf markets entirely, the film has already earned ₹44.5 crore.

Why the Gulf Banned Dhurandhar

Censorship boards in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have reportedly refused to clear the film, citing concerns over its portrayal of Pakistan. These six nations - home to some of the world's largest South Asian audiences - have long been key contributors to Bollywood's overseas revenue.

According to industry chatter, the makers had anticipated pushback but still attempted to negotiate a release.

A trade source told Bollywood Hungama:

"There were apprehensions this would happen as the film is seen as 'anti-Pakistan'. The team still tried, but none of the countries approved the theme."

The ban has reignited debate on how political narratives, particularly India-Pakistan storylines, face differing sensitivities across regions.

A Pattern in the Gulf: Many India-Pakistan Films Blocked

Dhurandhar is not an isolated case. Other titles revolving around Indo-Pak geopolitics have previously faced similar obstacles in the Middle East.

Films such as Fighter, Sky Force, The Diplomat, Article 370, Tiger 3 and The Kashmir Files all encountered restricted releases or outright bans. Fighter briefly hit UAE theatres before being pulled within 24 hours, and even a trimmed version failed to secure approval later.

For Bollywood, this is significant: the Gulf circuit remains a top international revenue stream, especially for adrenaline-heavy thrillers and star-driven productions. Missing out on those screens deprives films of a major boost in global numbers and diaspora word-of-mouth.

Behind the Film: Aditya Dhar's Return & Real-World Inspiration

Dhurandhar also marks director Aditya Dhar's comeback after six years, following his blockbuster Uri: The Surgical Strike in 2019. Early buzz suggested the new film was a biopic on Major Mohit Sharma, but Dhar clarified that it is not a direct retelling. Instead, the narrative blends covert operations, geopolitics and fictionalised intelligence manoeuvres.

The plot taps into events connected to Operation Lyari in Pakistan and speculated R&AW involvement. Ranveer Singh anchors the ensemble, supported by Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan and Arjun Rampal.

Despite its Gulf setback, Dhurandhar is shaping up as one of 2025's strongest Hindi performers - driven by audience reception, real-world inspirations, and its high-octane espionage storytelling.