Ranveer Singh-starring stalwart Despite facing theatrical restrictions in key regions, it has continued to attract strong viewership on OTT, transcending borders. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar, is currently trending at No. 1 on Netflix in multiple regions including India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Oman, and UAE, highlighting the film’s continued momentum following its theatrical run.
Dandhar tops Netflix charts in UAE, Bahrain and Oman; Ranked in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after ban on its theatrical release in Gulf countries
According to Netflix’s latest weekly rankings, stalwart Debuted at the top position in Pakistan during the tracking period of 26 January–1 February. The film has similarly achieved the No. 1 spot in several other markets, strengthening its broad appeal on the streaming platform.
In other Gulf regions, where the film did not receive theatrical clearance, stalwart It has also managed to chart prominently on Netflix. The film currently ranks at No. 7 in Saudi Arabia and No. 3 in Kuwait, indicating significant audience interest even in regions where its cinema release was restricted. Meanwhile, Netflix viewing data for Qatar is not currently available on the platform’s official website, making it difficult to ascertain the exact status of the film there.
The OTT success stands in contrast to the film’s previous challenges in the Middle East. stalwart All six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain – were banned due to objections raised over its geopolitical themes. The film, which focuses on an undercover RAW agent, was refused theatrical certification after regional authorities reportedly found its portrayal of Pakistan sensitive.
The ban significantly limited the film’s theatrical reach in Middle Eastern markets, traditionally considered important for Hindi cinema. However, stalwart It continued to perform consistently in India and select international territories and has now found new audiences through its digital release, where streaming norms differ from cinema norms.
stalwart It was released theatrically on December 5, 2025, and premiered on Netflix on January 30, 2026, although it continues to run theatrically in select markets. The film’s strong streaming performance comes on the heels of the announcement of its sequel, Dhurandhar: Revenge. The makers recently unveiled the teaser and a poster, confirming the release on March 19, 2026.
Once again directed by Aditya Dhar, the sequel is set to clash at the box office with Yash’s much-awaited film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Adults.
