Ranveer Singh's latest cinematic venture, the spy thriller Dhurandhar, has officially claimed the title of the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025. The Aditya Dhar-directed movie has soared past the monumental Rs 1,000 crore mark at the global box office, setting a new benchmark for the year. However, this spectacular worldwide triumph has been shadowed by a significant commercial setback in key overseas territories.
The Gulf Ban: A $10 Million Blow
Despite its massive appeal, Dhurandhar faced an unexpected hurdle: it was not released in several crucial Middle Eastern countries. The ban affected major markets including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. According to the film's overseas distributor, Pranab Kapadia, this restriction resulted in a staggering estimated loss of nearly $10 million, which translates to roughly Rs 90 crore, from the Gulf region alone.
In a conversation with CNN-News18, Kapadia expressed his disappointment, highlighting the region's traditional affinity for high-octane Indian action films. "I think this is at least a ten-million-dollar box office that we have lost, because traditionally, action films have always performed very well in the Middle East," he stated. He clarified that the team made every possible effort to secure a release but ultimately had to adhere to local regulations. "We have to respect the views and the rules and regulations of every territory and every country, and they have their reasons," Kapadia added.
Not An Isolated Incident
Kapadia pointed out that Dhurandhar is not the first Indian production to encounter such barriers in the recent past. He cited the example of the aerial action film 'Fighter', which also faced similar restrictions. This pattern indicates a broader context for content evaluation in these markets. "So we, of course, made a full attempt at ensuring that we put our best foot forward for the release," he remarked. Despite the Gulf setback, Kapadia emphasized that the film found a powerful connection with audiences globally. "But I think ultimately, the film has found its audience, if not in the Gulf, then elsewhere," he noted.
Holiday Season Softens the Impact
Interestingly, the timing of the film's release helped mitigate some of the financial damage. Pranab Kapadia explained that the December holiday season provided a silver lining. Many residents from the Gulf countries travelled abroad for vacations during this period and managed to watch the film in other countries.
"I know some of them who have travelled overseas. Especially in the month of December, they are on holiday," he said. "So they have come from the Gulf to European countries or American soil, and they have actually enjoyed the film. Fortunately, the film was released at a time when, you know, almost the second half of December is a holiday period. So people are travelling abroad, and they are ensuring that one evening in their schedule is free to watch Dhurandhar."
Dhurandhar, which features Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy infiltrating a gang in Karachi's Lyari area, boasts an ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun. As the first part of a planned two-part spy franchise directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has sparked considerable discussion for its portrayal of anti-terror operations and geopolitical dynamics, even as it conquers box office charts worldwide.
