Aditya Dhar's cinematic juggernaut, 'Dhurandhar', continues to shatter records at the global box office, amassing a staggering collection. However, its triumphant march has met an unexpected barrier in a key international market.
A Lucrative Market Remains Untapped
Despite its phenomenal worldwide success, the film has been conspicuously absent from screens across the Middle East. Countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia have reportedly imposed a ban on the film's release. This has prompted a significant intervention from a major Indian film body.
The Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) has formally stepped into the fray. The association has written a direct appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking the government's diplomatic intervention to address the issue.
IMPPA's Appeal to Uphold Creative Freedom
In its letter to the PM, IMPPA highlighted the contradiction of the ban. The film was cleared for release by India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and has become one of the biggest hits in Indian cinema history. The association contends that the prohibition by the Middle Eastern nations amounts to a suppression of the filmmaker's freedom of expression.
Emphasising the strong bilateral ties, IMPPA's appeal noted, "The UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia are India-friendly countries, and we conduct regular business with them across multiple sectors." The letter earnestly requests the Prime Minister to use diplomatic channels to resolve the matter, hoping for the ban to be revoked at the earliest.
Staggering Box Office Numbers Despite the Ban
The scale of the missed opportunity is underscored by the film's colossal earnings. 'Dhurandhar' has raced past the Rs 1200 crore mark in worldwide collections, a testament to its massive appeal. Notably, a significant portion of this revenue, approximately Rs 790 crore, has come from the domestic Indian market alone.
The Middle East represents a substantial and profitable market for Indian films, with a large diaspora and growing local audience. The continued ban means forgoing a major revenue stream for a film that is already a historic commercial success. The industry now awaits the government's response to IMPPA's plea, which could set a precedent for how similar cultural and trade barriers are handled in the future.
