In a year of cinematic giants, filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar’ has emerged as the definitive global powerhouse of 2025. The film has shattered international records, raking in over $27.5 million in overseas territories alone. However, this success story carries a “what-if” factor: industry experts reveal that the film’s earnings were stunted by a widespread ban across several Middle Eastern markets.
The $10 Million “Gulf Gap”
Parnab Kapadia, the film’s overseas distributor, recently revealed the financial toll of the ban in an interview with CNN-News18. He estimated a loss of at least $10 million (approx. ₹90 crore) due to the film’s absence from lucrative markets including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
The ban, reportedly stemming from the film’s intense anti-terror and anti-Pakistan themes, cut off access to a region where Indian action films traditionally dominate.
“We strongly feel that the film should have received a release there,” Kapadia stated. “However, we respect the rules of every territory. Dhurandhar has found its audience, if not in the Gulf, then elsewhere.”
Holiday Travelers Save the Day
Interestingly, the film’s release timing during the late-December holiday season provided a unique workaround. Kapadia noted that many Indian expats living in the Middle East traveled to Europe or North America for vacations during the Christmas break.
“They ensured that one evening in their schedule was free to watch Dhurandhar while traveling abroad,” he explained. This holiday migration helped the film achieve a staggering $17 million in North America alone, contributing to its massive ₹1,113 crore global total.
A Masterclass in Spy Action
Directed by Aditya Dhar, ‘Dhurandhar’ is a gritty spy thriller featuring an ensemble cast:
- Ranveer Singh as Hamza, an undercover Indian agent.
- Akshaye Khanna as the ruthless crime lord Rehman Dakait.
- Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan in pivotal roles.
The plot follows Hamza’s infiltration of the Lyari gangs in Karachi to dismantle a terror network linked to the ISI. The film has been praised for its high-octane sequences and a shocking climax that revealed Hamza’s true identity as death-row inmate Jaskirat Singh Rangi.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Sequel Clash
Fans won’t have to wait long for the conclusion of this two-part epic. ‘Dhurandhar 2’ is officially scheduled for an Eid release on March 19, 2026.
In a strategic shift, the sequel will be a full pan-India release, dubbed in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, unlike the first part which was primarily in Hindi. However, it faces a colossal box-office battle as it is set to clash with Yash’s ‘Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups’.