Dhurandhar Reportedly Banned in Six Gulf States Over Alleged “Anti-Pakistan” Content
Bollywood’s high-octane thriller Dhurandhar, headlined by Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, has reportedly been barred from release across six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Early social media reports and trade sources say the film has been blocked in Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with regional authorities citing concerns over material described as “allegedly anti-Pakistan.”
The update circulated widely after a viral social post highlighting the simultaneous bans; an embedded tweet related to the claim has been shared across platforms. At the time of writing, neither the film’s producers nor the official Gulf censorship boards have published a detailed public statement explaining the grounds for the restrictions.
What the reports say
According to early reports and industry insiders, the bans stem from objections raised by Gulf classification bodies over scenes and narrative elements that authorities believe could be sensitive in the context of regional diplomatic relations. The term “alleged anti-Pakistan content” has been used in multiple social posts summarising the censorship decisions, but precise scenes or dialogues singled out by censorship panels have not yet been verified by official communiqués.
BIG NEWS 🚨 Six Gulf countries that have banned Dhurandhar -
— News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) December 11, 2025
Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
They say the film contains alleged "Anti-Pakistan" content.
The movie is a blockbuster in India and other parts of the world.
Box office implications
Gulf markets—particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia—represent an important overseas window for large Bollywood releases. While the financial impact will depend on the film’s full release plan and alternate distribution strategies, film trade analysts warn that a ban across multiple Gulf territories could dent overseas weekend tallies and remove crucial revenue from the film’s early international haul.
Why the Gulf matters
The GCC region is home to sizeable South Asian diasporas and is frequently a significant contributor to overseas grosses for Indian mainstream cinema. Beyond headline box-office numbers, theatrical visibility in the Gulf also bolsters international perception and drives ancillary opportunities such as regional digital distribution and satellite deals. A simultaneous refusal of theatrical release across six markets therefore represents a notable disruption for distribution partners.
Industry and public reaction
In India, the ban has amplified public interest in the film rather than diminished it. Early reports indicate that ticket sales in domestic centres have remained strong and, in some circuits, surged after news of the Gulf restrictions went viral. Social media commentary shows a mix of reactions—support for the film’s creative team, curiosity about the censored content, and debate over film censorship and diplomatic sensitivities.
Trade insiders told Telugu Vaadi TV that film distributors are exploring alternative routes including possible edited versions for specific territories, or negotiating with local authorities. Those conversations typically require time and formal requests from the film’s regional licensees.
Performances and cinematic response
Critics and audiences who have seen Dhurandhar have largely praised the lead performances—Ranveer Singh’s intense screen presence and Akshaye Khanna’s layered supporting role—alongside the film’s production values. The controversy, however, shifts the conversation from purely cinematic appraisal to geopolitical context and censorship protocols, complicating how international markets receive the title.
What’s next
Key stakeholders—the production house, the film’s international distributors and regional classification authorities—are expected to issue statements. Any confirmation of the ban, its legal basis and whether it is temporary or permanent will be critical for exhibition plans. Observers will also watch whether digital platforms pursue rights for unaffected territories or whether edits can be negotiated to satisfy local regulators.
Conclusion
The reported bans on Dhurandhar in six Gulf countries highlight the fragile intersection between creative expression and geopolitical sensitivities in global film distribution. While the film continues to perform strongly in India and some overseas markets, the immediate consequence is a curtailment of theatrical reach in a region that often plays an outsized role in overseas box office performance.
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