Indian Producers Challenge The Decision to Ban Action Epic 'Dhurandhar' in Gulf Countries including Bahrain

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The Indian film industry has officially escalated its grievance over the ongoing absence of the record-breaking blockbuster Dhurandhar from Bahraini cinema screens. The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) has written directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a diplomatic dialogue with the Kingdom of Bahrain and its GCC neighbours to lift the ban on the Ranveer Singh-starrer. In the appeal, industry leaders described the move as a "unilateral and uncalled-for" restriction that hinders the cultural exchange between India and its long-standing partners in the Gulf.

Despite the film being a global sensation, authorities in Manama, alongside those in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman, have withheld the spy thriller from theaters, reportedly due to its sensitive geopolitical themes and intelligence-focused narrative. For the Kingdom’s sizable South Asian community and local Bollywood enthusiasts, the ban marks a significant cultural gap, as the film has already made history as the highest-grossing Hindi production in India, earning over BD 55 million worldwide.

IMPPA’s letter emphasises that Bahrain is an "India-friendly" nation with deep-rooted business ties, arguing that the film’s 'A' certification in India should be respected to allow local audiences the freedom to view the work. As the dispute enters the diplomatic arena, the stakes are rising for the film's production house; with a highly anticipated sequel slated for a March 19 release, the industry is anxious to see if a resolution can be reached before the franchise’s next chapter arrives.