Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh’s latest spy thriller, Dhurandhar, has been a massive hit in India, raking in over ₹200 crore domestically in just its first week. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite its success, the film has been denied theatrical release in six major Gulf countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Why? The answer lies in the region’s stringent certification and approval processes for foreign films, a topic that’s sparking heated debates in the film industry. And this is the part most people miss: Dhurandhar isn’t alone. Films like Fighter, Sky Force, The Diplomat, Article 370, Tiger 3, and The Kashmir Files have faced similar roadblocks in the Gulf due to local regulatory hurdles. For instance, Fighter was pulled from UAE cinemas shortly after its release, and even a revised version failed to secure clearance.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar marks his return to filmmaking after the 2019 blockbuster Uri: The Surgical Strike. Dhar has emphasized that the film draws inspiration from contemporary geopolitics and fictional intelligence operations, rather than any real-life individuals. Starring Ranveer Singh alongside Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal, the film has been praised for its high-octane narrative and positive audience reception. While it’s missing from Gulf screens, Dhurandhar has still made waves internationally, earning ₹44.5 crore from markets outside India.
But here’s the bigger question: Are Gulf countries’ strict regulations stifling global cinema’s reach, or are they necessary to align with local cultural and political sensitivities? This debate isn’t new, but Dhurandhar’s case has brought it back into sharp focus. As the film continues to dominate box offices elsewhere, it leaves us wondering: How much are filmmakers willing to compromise to access these lucrative markets? And should they have to? Let’s discuss—what’s your take on this controversial issue?
