As excitement builds for the release of Border 2, the film is reportedly encountering challenges in international markets. Recent updates indicate that, similar to Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar—one of the major releases of 2026—Border 2 will not debut in Gulf countries.
Reports from Bollywood Hungama reveal that Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have opted out of screening Border 2. It’s become evident that films perceived to have ‘anti-Pakistan’ themes struggle to find a release in this region. Despite the team’s efforts to secure a screening, their attempts have fallen short as the release date draws near, leaving only a slim chance for approval.
A source shared, “Dhurandhar also faced a similar fate and was barred from release in the Gulf. However, the creators of Border 2 remain optimistic, believing that if the film resonates with audiences, its box office potential could be limitless. Dhurandhar performed remarkably well at the box office despite its Gulf ban, and the financial setback from this region didn’t adversely affect its success. They hope for a similar outcome for Border 2.”
It’s worth mentioning that, despite being a hit in India and various other countries, Dhurandhar also encountered bans in several Middle Eastern nations, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This prohibition reportedly resulted in a staggering loss of around Rs 90 crore (approximately USD 10 million) in overseas revenues. Pranab Kapadia, Dhurandhar’s overseas distributor, stated that the ban had a significant impact on earnings, particularly since the Gulf market is crucial for Indian action films, which typically thrive there.
Challenges in the Gulf region are not uncommon for Bollywood films. Numerous politically sensitive titles, including Sky Force, The Diplomat, Article 370, and Tiger 3, have faced similar obstacles due to their portrayal of India-Pakistan relations or geopolitical issues. Fighter, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, also experienced comparable difficulties. The Gulf region has a history of resisting the release of films with anti-Pakistani content, given its complex relationship with India and Pakistan.