Ranveer Singh Dhurandhar Movie banned in Middle East nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, because of worries over its anti-Pakistan theme.
Widespread discussion regarding the relationship between politics, film, and cultural sensitivity has been triggered by this ban. Dhurandhar is still financially successful in spite of the controversy, demonstrating that powerful storytelling and star power can triumph over even the most difficult obstacles.
🔴#BREAKING | "Take up matter with friendly nations" : Top film body writes to PM Modi, seeks intervention over Middle East ban on 'Dhurandhar'
— NDTV (@ndtv) January 8, 2026
NDTV's @AbiraDhar joins @VedikaS with more details pic.twitter.com/ufcEOm2HPN
The Film: The Plot and Appeal of Dhurandhar
In the fast-paced spy thriller Dhurandhar, an Indian intelligence officer infiltrates Pakistan in order to destroy a terror network. Action, patriotism, and emotional drama are all combined in this movie, which makes it ideal for a broad audience. The film’s compelling story has struck a deep chord with Indian viewers, and Ranveer Singh’s performance has received high appreciation.
However, the film’s themes of cross-border espionage and national security have caused controversy in some areas. The film’s representation of Pakistan was seen as politically sensitive by Middle Eastern nations, which led to its suspension, even though Indian fans welcomed the nationalistic tone.
What is the Reason behind the Ban?
Dhurandhar Movie Banned in Middle East due to geopolitical sensitivities rather than technical or censorship problems in India. These are the main causes:
- Anti-Pakistan Narrative: The film’s plot portrays Pakistan in an unfavorable light, which Gulf countries were concerned could exacerbate tensions in the area.
- Political Sensitivities: Middle Eastern nations have to strike careful diplomatic balances with Pakistan and India. It can be interpreted as taking sides if the movie is allowed to be released.
- Cultural Concerns: These nations’ authorities frequently impose restrictions on movies that could spark political or religious disputes.
The ban was denounced by the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), who described it as “unilateral and uncalled for.” They even sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi pleading for government action to safeguard Indian filmmakers’ rights in international markets.
Box office Collection
Dhurandhar has done incredibly well at the box office in spite of the ban. Below is a summary of its daily collections in India. Dhurandhar box office collection supressed Stree 2 and Chavva. In spite Dhurandhar Movie Banned in Middle East, it crossed ₹ 1000 crores till now.
Verdict: Blockbuster — even without Gulf markets, the film became the 4th highest-grossing Indian film ever.
| Days | Collection |
| Day 1 | ₹ 29.30 crores |
| Day 2 | ₹ 35.10 crores |
| Day 3 | ₹ 45.60crores |
| Day 4 | ₹ 25.00crores |
| Day 5 | ₹ 29.10crores |
| Day 6 | ₹ 30.10 crores |
| Day 7 | ₹ 31.60 crores |
| Day 8 | ₹ 35.22crores |
| Day 9 | ₹ 55.80crores |
| Day 27 | ₹ 12.50crores |
| Day 34 | ₹ 4.85crores |
India Gross: ₹955 crore
Worldwide Gross: ₹1,230 crore
The Ban’s Effect on Worldwide Earnings
Bollywood movies have historically found a large international market in the Middle East. Dhurandhar lost between ₹100 and ₹150 crore in potential revenue as a result of the prohibition. Nevertheless, the movie made up for it with impressive box office receipts in Australia, Europe, and North America.
- Strong diaspora support in North America helped collections surpass ₹150 crore.
- The movie made over ₹120 crore in the UK and Europe due to its popularity.
- Although they are smaller markets, Australia and New Zealand have remarkable per-screen averages.
In addition to highlighting the significance of international markets for Bollywood, the ban demonstrates that a popular movie may succeed even in areas where it is prohibited.
Reactions from the Audience and Industry after Dhurandhar Movie Banned in Middle East
- Indian Audiences: Many Indian people flocked to theaters to support the movie as a result of the ban, which further increased their curiosity.
- Industry Leaders: The restriction was attacked by producers and trade analysts, who said it was unjust and detrimental to artistic freedom.
- Worldwide Viewers: The movie was well received by those outside of the Gulf, demonstrating that its appeal is universal.
Greater Consequences for Bollywood
For the Indian film business, the Dhurandhar ban poses significant questions:
- Creative Freedom vs. Diplomacy: Should filmmakers put artistic integrity first or change plots to avoid upsetting foreign audiences?
- Risks to Revenue: Bans can result in huge financial losses because foreign markets account for a large portion of box office revenue.
- Global strategy: Bollywood might have to devise plans to deal with local political sensitivities and censorship.
In conclusion
One glaring example of how film and geopolitics frequently collide is the Dhurandhar Movie Banned in Middle East. The film’s record-breaking receipts in India and other countries demonstrate that moviegoers prioritize compelling storytelling and star power above all else, even though Gulf countries banned its release because of political concerns.
This story serves as a reminder to Bollywood of the significance of international diplomacy in the distribution of movies. However, the success of Dhurandhar demonstrates that restrictions cannot prevent a widely popular movie from becoming a cultural phenomenon.
Filmmakers will have to strike a balance between foreign sensitivities and artistic freedom as the industry develops. If Dhurandhar has taught us anything, though, it is that even the most difficult obstacles can be overcome by a compelling narrative supported by outstanding performances. This story serves as a reminder to Bollywood of the significance of international diplomacy in the distribution of movies. However, Dhurandhar’s success story demonstrates that a film with widespread appeal may become a cultural phenomenon despite bans.
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