Dhurandhar Faces Gulf Ban; IMPPA Appeals to PM Modi for Diplomatic Support

Ranveer Singh starrer Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, has achieved historic box office success but faced a major setback when Gulf nations including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia banned its release. The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene diplomatically, calling the ban unilateral and unjustified since the film was already certified by the CBFC. Despite losing an estimated $10 million in potential earnings from the Middle East, Dhurandhar has crossed ₹1,200 crore worldwide and over ₹831 crore net in India, becoming the highest‑grossing Hindi film domestically. The controversy highlights both the film’s cultural impact and the industry’s concern over freedom of artistic expression, while its strong performance in India and North America underscores its global appeal even without Gulf markets.

Jan 8, 2026 0 3

Dhurandhar Faces Gulf Ban; IMPPA Appeals to PM Modi for Diplomatic Support

Ranveer Singh’s blockbuster Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, has stirred global headlines—not only for its record-breaking box office success but also due to a major release controversy in the Middle East. The film has been banned in UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, leading the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) to formally request Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention.

In a letter to the PM, IMPPA described the ban as “unilateral and unjustified,” arguing that it infringes on the filmmakers’ freedom of expression and restricts the film’s commercial reach. They emphasized that Dhurandhar was certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and questioned why nations with strong cultural and business ties to India would block its release.

IMPPA President Abhay Sinha stressed the urgency of the matter, urging the government to engage diplomatically with the concerned Gulf authorities to reverse the ban and uphold artistic freedom.

Box Office Triumph Despite Regional Setback

Released on December 5, 2025, Dhurandhar has emerged as a commercial juggernaut, grossing over ₹1,200 crore worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film in India with ₹831 crore net domestically. Its global earnings are approaching ₹1,300 crore, an extraordinary achievement considering the absence of a Gulf release—traditionally a major revenue source for Indian action films.

Industry analysts estimate that the ban may have cost the film approximately $10 million in potential box office revenue. Nevertheless, its strong performance in India and North America highlights its universal appeal and powerful word-of-mouth traction.