Ranveer Singh’s film Dhurandhar is making waves at the box office, quickly establishing itself as the highest-grossing Bollywood film ever, surpassing notable titles like Pushpa 2, Kantara, and Animal. This success is particularly notable given that the film has been banned in six Gulf nations. In response, the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) has reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for assistance in overturning the ban.
IMPPA President Abhay Sinha shared with India Today that they have formally requested PM Modi’s intervention to facilitate the film’s release in the Gulf region. “We hope they will reconsider the ban after watching the film. The letter was sent yesterday, and we are optimistic about a favorable response. Dhurandhar is a monumental Indian film, and it deserves a global audience,” Sinha remarked.
The IMPPA’s letter points out that despite receiving certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Dhurandhar has been banned in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The letter stated, “We earnestly request your intervention regarding the unilateral ban imposed on Dhurandhar by the Gulf nations.”
The association emphasized that the film’s producer has complied with all certification requirements, arguing that the ban infringes upon their freedom of expression. “Given that Dhurandhar has become one of the biggest hits in Indian cinema, we kindly urge the Government of India to address this matter with the relevant authorities in these countries and advocate for the revocation of the ban as soon as possible. Your prompt action on this significant issue would be deeply appreciated,” the letter concluded.
The ban on Indian films often stems from their geopolitical narratives, which are scrutinized in the Middle East. Dhurandhar’s ban arises from concerns over its perceived anti-Pakistan themes. The film delves into covert intelligence operations set against a backdrop of pivotal geopolitical events, including the Kandahar plane hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack, and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.