After this, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene. stalwartThe Ranveer Singh-starrer espionage thriller was reportedly banned in several Middle Eastern countries, with critics calling the bans “one-sided and unnecessary”. The appeal highlights concerns about freedom of expression and the economic impact of a ban on one of Indian cinema’s biggest recent hits.
Producers seek Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s help in lifting ban on Dhurandhar in six Gulf countries: “Suppression of freedom of expression”
In a letter signed by IMPPA President Abhay Sinha, the association asked the government to take up the matter with the authorities of UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia. “We sincerely appeal to you to intervene regarding the unilateral and unwarranted ban imposed on the film stalwart … The imposed ban… is a suppression of our member’s freedom of expression,” the letter reads.
The film, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, has been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India and has emerged as a major box office success domestically, breaking records and receiving praise from audiences and critics. IMPPA stressed that the countries imposed sanctions are “India friendly” and engaged in regular trade and cultural exchanges with the country.
“We humbly request that the Government of India take up this matter with the relevant authorities… and endeavor to ensure that freedom of expression is respected and the ban is rescinded as soon as possible,” the letter said. It also noted that IMPPA had sent copies of the appeal to Union ministers including Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
stalwart It has faced controversy in some quarters over its depiction of geopolitical themes, with critics labeling aspects of the film as partisan or propagandistic, even as supporters within the industry defended its storytelling and craftsmanship. However, the Middle East ban is being viewed by producers and industry bodies primarily as a concern over market access and free expression rather than a content dispute within India.
The ban is believed to have had a tangible economic impact. Industry sources suggest stalwart In the Gulf region, a traditionally strong market for Indian action films, it missed out on significant box office revenues due to its absence in theaters there, while it performed strongly in markets where it was available.
