Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Dhurandhar Breaks Records, Faces Gulf Ban
The movie Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, is a huge hit in India, earning over Rs 835 crore.
However, it has been banned in several Gulf countries like the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
The Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help lift the ban, saying it's unfair and stops people from expressing themselves freely.
The ban has caused the movie to lose about Rs 90 crore.
Many celebrities, like Vivek Oberoi, have praised the movie for its bold storytelling and great performances.
The movie's success has broken many records, and a sequel is planned for March 2026.
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty praised the casting director Mukesh Chhabra for his work on the film and suggested that any future pan-India film would depend on Chhabra leading the casting process.
Dhurandhar has earned Rs 835.15 crore domestically, making it the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time.
The film has been banned in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia despite having CBFC certification.
The IMPPA has appealed to PM Narendra Modi to intervene and lift the ban, citing suppression of freedom of expression.
The ban has caused an estimated financial loss of $10 million (around Rs 90 crore) for the film.
Celebrities like Vivek Oberoi and Rohit Shetty have praised the film for its bold storytelling, exceptional performances, and Mukesh Chhabra's casting work.
- Who
- Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA), film producers, director Aditya Dhar, actor Ranveer Singh, casting director Mukesh Chhabra, filmmaker Rohit Shetty
- What
- Appeal to PM Modi to lift the ban on the film Dhurandhar in the UAE and other Gulf countries, box office success of Dhurandhar, Rohit Shetty's praise for Mukesh Chhabra's casting work
- When
- After the film was banned in several Gulf countries, ongoing box office performance, January 8, 2026
- Where
- India, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia
- Why
- The film has been banned despite receiving certification from the CBFC, and the IMPPA sees this as a suppression of freedom of expression; significant financial losses due to the ban; Rohit Shetty's praise for Mukesh Chhabra's casting work
- Film Title
- Dhurandhar
- Director
- Aditya Dhar
- Lead Actor
- Ranveer Singh
- Release Date
- December 5, 2025
- Domestic Collection
- Rs 835.15 crore
- Worldwide Gross
- Rs 1,220 crore
- Countries Banned
- UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia
- Certification Body
- Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
- Producers' Association
- Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA)
- Government Officials Contacted
- PM Narendra Modi, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar
- Estimated Loss Due to Ban
- $10 million (around Rs 90 crore)
- Supporting Cast
- Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi
- Sequel Release Date
- March 19, 2026
- Casting Director
- Mukesh Chhabra
- Rohit Shetty's Remark
- Praised Mukesh Chhabra's casting work and suggested any pan-India film would depend on Chhabra
Sources
Film Body Requests PM Modi To Help Lift Dhurandhar Ban In UAE, Gulf
Dhurandhar: Vivek Oberoi calls Ranveer Singh's action-thriller 'more than cinema'
Producers' association writes letter to PM Modi, seeks lifting of Dhurandhar ban in UAE
Dhurandhar Box Office Collection Day 34: Next Stop For Ranveer Singh's Film - Rs 900 Crore
Dhurandhar Box Office Day 34: Ranveer Singh starrer beats RRR to become 4th highest-grossing Indian movie worldwide
Alia Bhatt’s production house lauds Dhurandhar; cine body pleads with PM Modi to help lift ban on Ranveer Singh’s film in Middle East
Dhurandhar Banned In Middle East: PM Narendra Modi Urged To Intervene Over Gulf Nations' Decision
Dhurandhar Box Office Collection Day 35: Ranveer Singh starrer SLOWS DOWN, but can still BEAT KGF 2 only if...
Rohit Shetty ‘Really Liked’ Mukesh Chhabra’s Role In Dhurandhar Casting
Film body seeks reversal of Dhurandhar ban in gulf countries, appeals to PM Modi for intervention
Alia Bhatt Says Yash's Toxic Teaser Is 'Dynamite'; Dhanashree Verma, Yuzvendra Chahal To Reunite After Divorce?
Dhurandhar box office collection Day 35: Film beats SS Rajamouli’s RRR globally, mints this amount
Khushboo Sundar says she ‘loved to hate Akshaye Khanna’ in Dhurandhar: ‘His father is looking down from heaven’
Khushbu Sundar Says Vinod Khanna Must Be 'Smiling From Heaven' After Watching Son Akshaye's Performance In Dhurandhar
Dhurandhar Track Lights Up NBA Game As Bhangra Performance Goes Viral: ‘Proud Of Our Indian Culture’
Priyadarshan Swells With Pride As Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar Turns Blockbuster: ‘I’ll Forever Be Your...’
Khushbu Sundar Lauds Akshaye Khanna’s Dhurandhar Performance, Says Vinod Khanna Must Be ‘Smiling From Heaven’
Priyadarshan congratulates his ‘disciple’ Aditya Dhar on Dhurandhar success, director says, ‘I’ll forever be your student first’
Dhurandhar Box Office Collection Day 35 Worldwide Update: After earning Rs 800 cr, Ranveer Singh-starrer enters Week 6 with over 3600 shows
Producers’ body seeks PM Modi's intervention in lifting ban on ‘Dhurandhar’ in Middle East
Ranveer Singh-starrer spy thriller film witnesses over 50 per cent drop in collections in Week 5 - Telegraph India
