Ranveer Singh’s latest outing, Dhurandhar, continues to make waves at the box office. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy thriller has crossed the ₹200 crore mark in India within its first week. Overseas collections stand at ₹44.08 crore in four days, excluding key markets. Yet, a fresh report suggests Saudi Arabia may greenlight the film for release. This comes even as it faces a blanket ban across other Gulf countries.
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As per sources, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE have denied clearance to Dhurandhar. The hold-up stems from the film’s perceived anti-Pakistan stance. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have not released Dhurandhar. There were apprehensions that this would happen as the film is perceived as an ‘anti-Pakistan film’.” The makers tried hard to secure approvals. But all attempts fell through in these regions.
Saudi Arabia, however, appears to be an outlier. Industry trackers confirm that discussions are under way for a limited release there next week. This could add ₹10-15 crore to the overseas tally, sources add. The kingdom has shown openness to Bollywood content lately. Films like Fighter faced similar hurdles elsewhere in the Gulf but found footing in Saudi circuits.
Dhurandhar draws from real events in Pakistan’s Lyari gangs during the early 2000s. Ranveer plays an Indian spy infiltrating criminal networks. The cast features Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi. Backed by Jio Studios, it blends high-stakes action with geopolitical undertones. Such themes have tripped up Indian films before.
Take Fighter, for instance. Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s aerial drama skipped most Gulf screens last year over India-Pakistan tensions. Sky Force and The Diplomat met the same fate. Article 370 and Tiger 3 also drew flak for similar reasons. Gulf censors often flag content that touches on cross-border conflicts. The UAE/GCC belt contributes 20-30 per cent to Bollywood’s overseas earnings on average. Missing it hurts, even for a hit like Dhurandhar.
The film’s narrative centres on Operation Lyari, a crackdown involving alleged Indian intelligence roles. Ranveer’s character, Hamza Ali Mazari, goes undercover in Karachi. Scenes depict gang wars and political intrigue. Critics note the portrayal leans heavily patriotic. This has fuelled the ban narrative. Yet, in India, audiences have lapped it up. Word-of-mouth has pushed daily collections past ₹25 crore by day five.
Saudi’s potential nod marks a shift. The country has eased media norms in recent years. Bollywood titles like Pathaan and Jawan screened there without cuts. Dhurandhar’s team sees this as a win. “We are grateful for the support from markets that understand the story’s intent,” a production insider said. Release details remain fluid. Expect trailers in Riyadh multiplexes soon.
This development highlights Bollywood’s tricky dance with global sensitivities. Gulf bans aren’t new. But selective approvals like Saudi’s offer hope. Dhurandhar’s global run now eyes North America and Europe for balance. Current overseas figures exclude the Gulf void. Adding Saudi could tip the scales towards ₹300 crore worldwide by week two.
Aditya Dhar, fresh off Uri, brings taut pacing to the thriller. Ranveer’s intense prep—learning dialects and combat—shines through. Akshaye Khanna’s nuanced turn as a handler draws praise. Sara Arjun, in her adult debut, holds her own as the lead’s ally. The ensemble keeps the energy high. Sanjay Dutt’s cameo adds grit, while R Madhavan’s subtlety grounds the chaos.
Box office watchers peg the film’s India net at ₹210 crore by December 12. That’s despite mixed reviews on the plot’s boldness. Fans defend it as a tribute to unsung heroes. Detractors call out the one-sided lens. Either way, it sparks talk. The Gulf snub only amplifies that.
For the industry, this underscores market diversification. Reliance on UAE screens is waning. Saudi’s growing cinemas—over 60 now—fill the gap. Qatar and Oman might revisit if edits come. But for now, the ban holds firm.
Dhurandhar’s journey mirrors Bollywood’s evolving global footprint. From domestic darling to overseas contender, it navigates bans with resilience. Saudi’s green light, if confirmed, will be a quiet coup. Expect updates as clearances firm up. The film, set for a sequel tease in credits, has legs left to run.
