Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar Faces Ban in Six Gulf Countries Over Content Concerns

Ranveer Singh’s latest espionage drama, Dhurandhar, has been barred from release in six Gulf nations, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, after authorities reportedly objected to the film’s perceived anti-Pakistan narrative.

While the film continues to draw large audiences in India, its international rollout in the Middle East has been halted. A source familiar with the matter told Bollywood Hungama that despite attempts to secure clearance, the Gulf authorities did not approve the movie due to concerns about its theme.

The situation highlights the ongoing sensitivity of Indian films dealing with cross-border conflicts in Middle Eastern markets. Several Bollywood films in recent years, such as Fighter, The Kashmir Files, Tiger 3, and Sky Force, have faced similar restrictions. In some cases, films were initially released but were later pulled, as seen with Fighter in the UAE.

In India, Dhurandhar has enjoyed a strong opening, surpassing Rs 200 crore in net collections within its first week. Overseas, excluding the Gulf, the film has earned Rs 44.5 crore.

The movie marks the return of director Aditya Dhar, six years after his acclaimed film Uri: The Surgical Strike. While rumours suggested the plot might be based on Major Mohit Sharma, Dhar clarified that the story draws inspiration from real-life geopolitics and covert Indian intelligence missions.

Dhurandhar follows events related to Operation Lyari in Pakistan and features a star-studded cast including Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal. With strong word-of-mouth reviews and a politically charged storyline, the film has emerged as one of the year’s most successful Bollywood releases, even as its release in key Gulf markets remains blocked.