Dhurandhar has lost about 10 million dollars overseas due to Middle East ban, reveals distributor

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• Dhurandhar crosses Rs 1000 crore globally, nearing Rs 1100 crore milestone
• Film banned in Middle East, losing $10M in box office.
• Second part of Dhurandhar set for Eid 2026 release

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Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar continues to dominate the global box office, emerging as one of the biggest Indian blockbusters in recent times. The Aditya Dhar-directed spy actioner has already crossed the Rs 1000 crore mark worldwide and is now racing towards the Rs 1100 crore milestone. While its domestic performance has been historic, the film’s overseas run has also been remarkably strong, despite facing a major setback in key international markets.

In a recent interview, Dhurandhar’s overseas distributor Pranab Kapadia revealed that the film suffered a significant financial loss after being banned in several Middle Eastern countries. Speaking to CNN-News18, Pranab stated that the ban cost the film a massive chunk of its potential overseas earnings.

“I think this is at least a ten million dollar box office that we have lost, because traditionally action films have always performed very well in the Middle East. And therefore we feel that it should have gotten a release. But, at the same time we have to respect the views and the rules and regulations of every territory and every country, and they have their reasons,” he said.

Pranab Kapadia added that Dhurandhar is not the first Hindi film to face such restrictions in the Gulf region. “We are not the first film where they have not given a release. Fighter also was not released before this, and several others. So we of course made a full attempt at ensuring that we put our best foot forward for the release. But I think ultimately, the film has found its audience, if not in the Gulf, then elsewhere,” he explained.

Despite the ban, the film managed to benefit from the year-end holiday season, which helped offset some of the losses. Pranab pointed out that many viewers from the Middle East travelled abroad during December and made it a point to catch the film overseas. “I know some of them, who have travelled overseas. Especially in the month of December, they are on holiday. So they have come from the Gulf to European countries or American soil, and they have actually enjoyed the film,” he said.

He further noted that the timing of the release played a crucial role in sustaining the film’s momentum. “Fortunately, the film has released at a time when almost the second half of December is a holiday period. So people are travelling abroad, and they are ensuring that one evening in their schedule is free to watch Dhurandhar,” he added.

Also read: Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar crosses Rs 1,000 crore globally, sets new box office record

Dhurandhar is a two-part espionage thriller, with the first installment set against the gritty underworld of Karachi’s Lyari town. The film boasts a powerful ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun. The second part is slated for a grand Eid 2026 release, with expectations already running high given the franchise’s record-breaking start.