The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene after Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar was barred from the Gulf countries. This has come after six nations, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia, banned the film from release.
In a letter addressed to PM Modi and signed by IMPPA President Abhay Sinha, the association urged the authorities to take diplomatic action. “Our member producer has made this film and has released the same after getting certification by the Central Board of Film Certification, and the ban imposed by the above countries is a suppression of the Freedom of Expression,” they wrote.
Middle East is an important market for Bollywood films and IMPPA’s appeal to Indian government to facilitate dialogue over Dhurandhar’s seamless release makes sense.
Why was Dhurandhar banned?
As per multiple reports, the Ranveer Singh-Akshaye Khanna starrer Dhurandhar was not cleared for release in six Gulf countries. Concerns were raised by local authorities over certain geopolitical elements in the film. While the makers have maintained that the film is rooted in a fictional narrative, it was reportedly denied certification in the region days after its India release.
Based primarily in Pakistan, a large part of Dhurandhar’s plot is based out of Lyari. Singh, who plays Hamza Ali, infiltrates the gang of Rahman Dakait as an Indian spy.
Baloch leader Mir Yar took to social media and criticised the film too. In a long note, he pointed out the alleged religious motivation for violence in the film, referring to the scene where some characters chant ‘Allah O Akbar’. The Baloch leader also clarified that they hadn’t collaborated with ISI to hamper Indian ties.
Dhurandhar worldwide box office collection
According to Sacnilk, Dhurandhar has grossed over Rs 1200 crore worldwide. As it nears the Rs 1300 crore mark, the spy thriller has had a stellar box office run in India. Playing on screen for over a month, the sequel, Dhurandhar Part 2 is also expected in March 2026. Critics speculate whether it will compete with its prequel itself. However, the film has derailed several other releases, with the biggest blow to Ikkis and Kartik Aaryan’s Tu Meri Main Tera. Dhurandhar is finally showing signs of slowing down and the numbers have officially dipped below the Rs 5 crore mark. However, it will be a long while before any Bollywood film comes close to matching its record-breaking box office run.