Ranveer Singh’s new spy thriller ‘Dhurandhar’ has been banned across six Gulf countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE — after authorities reportedly objected to the film’s anti-Pakistan messaging.

The sweeping ban has triggered fresh debate over how Indian films engaging with cross-border geopolitics are reviewed and restricted in the Middle East.

According to a TOI report, distributors had applied for theatrical clearances across the region, which remains a vital overseas market for Bollywood titles, but none of the countries granted approval.

Industry sources noted that there had already been “apprehensions” that ‘Dhurandhar’ could be blocked due to its perceived stance, and attempts to appeal the decision did not succeed. The Gulf region has previously restricted films with similar themes, including ‘Fighter’, ‘Sky Force’, ‘The Diplomat’, ‘Article 370’, ‘Tiger 3’ and ‘The Kashmir Files’. Even ‘Fighter’, which managed a brief release window in the UAE, was withdrawn within 24 hours before a revised cut was also declined by censors.

Despite the ban, the film continues to perform strongly at the domestic box office. ‘Dhurandhar’ has crossed Rs 200 crore net in India within its first week and earned Rs 44.5 crore overseas, excluding the Gulf territories. Its strong word of mouth, high-octane action and geopolitical backdrop have contributed to the film’s momentum, positioning it as one of the year’s standout performers.

The film marks director Aditya Dhar’s return to the big screen after six years. Known for the 2019 hit ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’, Dhar’s new outing draws heavily from real-world geopolitics and covert R&AW operations, including events linked to Operation Lyari in Pakistan. Alongside Ranveer Singh, the ensemble cast features Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan and Arjun Rampal in pivotal roles.

While the Gulf ban has impacted its overall international numbers, ‘Dhurandhar’ continues to see robust traction in India and other global markets, underscoring its strong storytelling base and mass appeal.