Bollywood’s Blockbusters Face Ban in the GCC
Bollywood’s recent spy thrillers, Dhurandhar and its sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge, have made headlines as massive hits. These films, telling the story of an Indian spy working against terrorism in Pakistan, have earned more than ₹3,000 crore (around US$315 million) globally, attracting audiences in India and among Indian communities abroad.
However, this success is bittersweet. Both films have been banned in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. These nations are home to over 9 million Indian expatriates, alongside nearly 5 million Pakistanis.
Historically, Bollywood has relied on its diaspora for revenue, but the strong anti-Pakistan themes in Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar: The Revenge have backfired in the Gulf. Several other films with similar themes have also faced bans recently due to their negative portrayal of Pakistan. The films depict the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as promoting terrorism, sparking concerns about Islamophobia and communal tensions.
The bans likely stem from GCC nations wanting to avoid the fallout from tensions between India and Pakistan. They aim to maintain good relations with both countries and prevent any community discord among the large Indian and Pakistani populations.
Additionally, GCC countries appear to be signaling that relying on stereotypes can jeopardize important cultural relationships and the significant remittances sent back home by expatriates.
Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came into power in India in 2014, there has been an increase in films portraying Muslims negatively. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), a government body, plays a crucial role in greenlighting these films, which sends a message of official endorsement from the Indian government.
Some of these films have connections to BJP-affiliated producers, and after their release, certain states have declared them tax-free to boost box office numbers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often praised these films, implying that the government supports such narratives.
India is the world’s leading recipient of remittances, bringing in a record $135 billion in 2025, with about 38% coming from GCC countries. Given this financial dependence, India cannot afford to risk the vital remittances flowing from the Middle East.
For years, India has used Bollywood as a tool of soft power, presenting itself as a culturally vibrant and stable nation attractive to tourists and investors alike. Nevertheless, the depiction of religious issues in films like Dhurandhar has raised concerns internationally, further complicating India’s relationships in the GCC. As a result, these government-backed films may not only face bans but could struggle at the box office in the long run.
