Ranveer Singh Starrer Dhurandhar Completely Banned Across Gulf Nations

Ranveer Singh’s latest action thriller Dhurandhar is registering massive numbers worldwide, earning an impressive ₹44.08 crore overseas in just four days. But the film’s international tally could have been significantly higher — if it had been allowed to release in the Gulf.

According to industry sources, all major GCC nations – including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman – have blocked the film’s release.

A trade insider revealed to Bollywood Hungama, “There were early signs that Dhurandhar might struggle for clearance in the Gulf, mainly due to perceptions of it being ‘anti-Pakistan’. Films with similar themes have historically faced roadblocks in the region. The makers still attempted to secure approvals, but the authorities in every country rejected the film.”

The ensemble-led thriller stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi, and is directed by Aditya Datt. The story follows an Indian intelligence officer who infiltrates Pakistan’s underworld and political hierarchy, sparking dramatic consequences — a premise that reportedly triggered concerns among Gulf censors. – Ranveer Singh Starrer Dhurandhar Completely Banned Across Gulf Nations

A Pattern of Bans in the Middle East

Dhurandhar is the latest in a string of high-profile Indian films barred in the Gulf due to sensitive political or cross-border themes.

Fighter (2024), starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, was banned across GCC initially (except the UAE). Though a re-edited version was submitted, the UAE later suspended the film as well, rejecting the revised cut entirely.
Sky Force (Akshay Kumar) and The Diplomat (John Abraham) also faced bans in parts of the Middle East this year due to their Pakistan-related narrative elements.