Mumbai: The Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking intervention to secure the release of Ranveer Singh's spy thriller Dhurandhar in six Gulf countries where the film remains banned over alleged anti-Pakistan messaging.

IMPPA President Abhay Sinha confirmed to India Today that the letter was sent on January 7, urging authorities to reconsider the ban in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. "We want them to watch the film and reconsider the ban," Sinha said. "The letter has been sent last evening, and we are hopeful for a positive outcome. Dhurandhar is one of India's biggest film and the world should watch it".

The Aditya Dhar-directed film has become India's highest-grossing Hindi film of all time despite missing the lucrative Gulf market. According to the makers, Dhurandhar has earned Rs 831.40 crore net in India as of January 6, surpassing the Hindi version of Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2: The Rule. The film's worldwide gross stands at approximately Rs 1,240-1,254 crore.

Gulf Ban Costs Rs 90 Crore

The film's overseas distributor, Pranab Kapadia, told CNN-News18 that the Gulf ban resulted in an estimated loss of at least $10 million, or around Rs 90 crore. "I think this is at least a $10 million box office loss, because traditionally action films have always performed very well in the Middle East," Kapadia said. He added that the team made every effort to secure a release but ultimately had to respect each territory's regulations.

Dhurandhar follows an Indian intelligence agent who infiltrates Karachi's criminal underworld in Pakistan. The film loosely references real-life events, including Operation Lyari, a Pakistani government crackdown against local gangs, as well as the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The ban continues a pattern of Indian films with nationalist themes facing restrictions in Gulf markets. Hrithik Roshan's Fighter, Salman Khan's Tiger 3, and Yami Gautam's Article 370 were similarly blocked in recent years over political sensitivities. Gulf states maintain significant defence and economic ties with Pakistan, with large Pakistani expatriate populations living across the region.

Released on December 5, Dhurandhar has sustained its box office run for over a month, becoming the first Hindi-only film to cross Rs 1,000 crore worldwide. The makers have announced a second instalment scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.