Dhurandhar 2: The Impact of Gulf Ban on Box Office Success
Dhurandhar 2's Anticipated Success Amidst Controversy
Before the launch of Dhurandhar, director Aditya Dhar and star Ranveer Singh warned audiences, stating, 'You’re not ready for this.' Their prediction turned out to be accurate, as the film concluded 2025 with remarkable success, marking a significant milestone for the filmmaker. Initially, industry analysts had low expectations for Dhurandhar due to Ranveer's previous inconsistent performances. However, he defied these forecasts, delivering what is now considered the most successful film of his career. The triumph of Dhurandhar has heightened anticipation for its sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, which is expected to shatter numerous records globally, although it faces a ban in the Gulf region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman.
Gulf Ban's Effect on Global Earnings
The Dhurandhar series has been prohibited in the Gulf due to its anti-Pakistan themes. Despite Ranveer's global fanbase, this ban could impact the film's overall earnings. However, trade expert Taran Adarsh mentioned that the film's financial performance would likely remain unaffected since the producers did not seek approval for a Gulf release. He noted that while the first installment of Dhurandhar might have faced losses, it was not a major concern given its unprecedented success in 2025.
Producer and film analyst Girish Johar projected a potential 20 to 30 percent revenue loss for Dhurandhar 2 due to the ban and the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. He estimated that the first film lost around 50 crores due to its non-release in the region. Johar emphasized that Dhurandhar 2 has a broader audience and a more expansive narrative, suggesting that the franchise could face a total loss of approximately Rs 75 crores. Nevertheless, he believes that despite the ban, Dhurandhar likely recouped its costs through streaming platforms, although the OTT deal for Dhurandhar 2 remains unconfirmed.
Projected Losses Due to GCC Ban
Film analyst Sumit Kadel anticipates a loss of around USD 10–15 million (approximately Rs 100–150 crores) due to the Gulf ban, stating that the film could have performed exceptionally well in the region, especially given the significant Indian community there. He believes that the first-day earnings in Gulf countries could have exceeded Rs 200 crores. Veteran trade expert Ramesh Bala reflected on the impact of the GCC ban on Dhurandhar Part 1, noting that it eliminated a potential revenue stream of $15–20 million, which is substantial for a film of this magnitude. The Gulf region has consistently been a strong market for Indian films, particularly those featuring major stars, due to the high South Asian audience turnout and premium ticket prices.
Bala also mentioned that the ban would not significantly impact the producers, as Dhurandhar 2 is expected to gross between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 crores globally.
Reasons Behind the Gulf Ban
The producers of Dhurandhar sought permission for its release in Gulf countries in 2025 but were denied due to its anti-Pakistan narrative. The film portrays the geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, including depictions of terrorist incidents. Although the film faced a ban in theaters, it is accessible on Netflix in the UAE, allowing audiences to watch it in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. It was also banned in Pakistan, where it was pirated and made available on Netflix. Similarly, Sunny Deol’s Border 2 also missed its Gulf release due to the same issues. Despite the ban, Dhurandhar 2 achieved a remarkable first-day collection of Rs 160 crores worldwide, with reports indicating it surpassed Rs 60 crores on its second day in India.