India’s Box Office Triumph: A ₹200 Crore Success

The action-packed spy thriller Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has been a massive hit in India. In just seven days following its release on December 5, the film crossed the ₹200 crore mark in domestic net collections. This strong performance signals huge interest in the movie at home. Directed by Aditya Dhar, known for the hit Uri: The Surgical Strike, the film is an instant blockbuster and is planned as the first part of a two-movie series.

The Film’s Plot and Controversy

Dhurandhar focuses on Indian operatives working to dismantle a terrorist network based in Pakistan. The storyline is said to be rooted in real-world geopolitics and covert operations, drawing inspiration from historical events like the IC-814 hijack. The director, Aditya Dhar, has clarified that the film is strictly opposed to terrorism and is not targeting any specific nation. Besides Ranveer Singh, the movie features a strong supporting cast, including Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan.

The Gulf Screening Ban

Despite its success in India, the film has faced a major setback overseas. Authorities in six key Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have blocked Dhurandhar from screening. The banned nations are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Industry sources indicate that the ban was issued because the film is widely “perceived as an ‘anti-Pakistan film'” and raises concerns about negative portrayals. The Gulf region is a critical market for Indian films, especially due to the large population of Indian expatriates, making this ban a significant financial blow.

Overseas Earnings and Regional Scrutiny

Even with the complete ban in the GCC, Dhurandhar has shown steady global interest, earning ₹44.5 crore from other overseas markets where it was cleared for release. The controversy surrounding the film has revived discussions about the scrutiny Indian movies face in the Middle East when they cover politically sensitive or cross-border themes. In recent years, several other high-profile Indian titles, such as Fighter, Article 370, and The Kashmir Files, have encountered similar restrictions in these markets.