Box Office Hit Dhurandhar Banned Across Six Gulf Nations Over ‘Anti-Pakistan’ Narrative
Ranveer Singh’s Spy Thriller Blocked in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar; Censorship Decisions Reflect Heightened Geopolitical Sensitivity in the Region
Dhurandhar Faces Comprehensive Ban in GCC Market
The makers of the high-grossing Bollywood spy thriller ‘Dhurandhar’ have suffered a significant blow to the film’s international revenue, as the movie has been unanimously banned across the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. Despite the film’s monumental domestic success—crossing the ₹200 crore net mark within its first week—the denial of a theatrical release in the Middle East cuts off one of Bollywood’s most reliable and profitable overseas markets.
Industry sources confirmed that the film’s producers made a concerted effort to secure a release, but authorities in all six countries refused certification. This collective rejection underscores the region’s increasing caution toward politically charged narratives emanating from Indian cinema.
‘Anti-Pakistan Messaging’ Cited as the Key Reason
The primary reason cited for the sweeping ban is the film’s perceived ‘anti-Pakistan’ messaging and its sensitive geopolitical content. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film revolves around a deep-cover Indian intelligence operation within Pakistan, dramatically depicting elements of that country’s political landscape, criminal underworld, and alleged involvement in cross-border aggression.
Censors in the Gulf states, which strictly regulate content that could potentially impact regional harmony or diplomatic relationships, deemed the film’s theme inappropriate for public screening. This scrutiny reflects the intricate balance the Gulf nations maintain due to their deep-rooted strategic and military ties with Pakistan, as well as the presence of millions of Pakistani expatriates alongside Indian workers. The regional consensus is a calculated move to avoid cultural content that could inflame tensions among expatriate communities.
Growing Trend of Bans on Geopolitical Thrillers
The blacklisting of ‘Dhurandhar’ is not an isolated incident but rather the latest example of a discernible trend. In recent years, films carrying strong nationalist or India-Pakistan conflict themes have frequently encountered resistance in the Gulf. Previous major titles, including Fighter, Article 370, and Tiger 3, have faced either outright bans or substantial cuts to secure limited releases.
While director Aditya Dhar has insisted that the film is “anti-terrorism, not anti-Pakistan,” the definitive action taken by the GCC censors demonstrates a clear diplomatic priority. The ban highlights the increasing dissonance between the rising patriotic tenor of Indian cinema and the political neutrality required to access major international markets.