Muscat: The movie has reportedly been banned across six Gulf countries over concerns about its perceived anti-Pakistan narrative, marking yet another instance of an Indian film facing censorship in the region.

The ban extends to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, with regional authorities reportedly declining certification after reviewing the film’s sensitive geopolitical themes. Sources told Bollywood Hungama that the film was viewed as an “anti-Pakistan film,” leading to its exclusion from release across the Gulf.

Dhurandhar, inspired by true events, follows the story of an Indian spy assigned to a covert mission following the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. Directed by Ajay Sanyal (played by R. Madhavan), the film tracks the journey of Jaskirat Singh Rangi, portrayed by Ranveer Singh, who infiltrates Pakistan’s Lyari under the alias Hamza Ali Mazari to get close to feared gangster Rehman Dakait, brought to life by Akshaye Khanna.

Despite the international setback, the film continues its winning streak at home. Within just one week, Dhurandhar crossed the ₹200 crore net mark in India, maintaining strong weekday collections. Overseas performance has also been solid, with the film earning over ₹44 crore, despite being shut out of a key global market.

This is not the first time Indian films have faced scrutiny in the Middle East. Salman Khan’s Tiger 3 was banned in Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar, reportedly due to its portrayal of Islamic countries. Other films, including Fighter, Sky Force, The Diplomat, Article 370, and The Kashmir Files, have also encountered bans or cuts over political sensitivities.