Bollywood Producers Seek PM Modi's Help to Lift Ban on 'Dhurandhar' in Middle East

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The Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting intervention in the ban faced by the Indian film 'Dhurandhar' in the Middle East. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, was cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with an A certificate before its release in December and has since become one of the biggest hits in Indian cinema history. The film, which also stars Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and R Madhavan, has earned ₹1230 crore worldwide, making it the 4th-highest-grossing Indian film of all time. However, it was banned in several Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, which IMPPA calls an 'unilateral and uncalled-for' suppression of the film's makers' freedom of expression. IMPPA President Abhay Sinha has requested PM Modi to intervene in the matter and help revoke the ban, citing that the countries involved are India-friendly nations with whom the country conducts regular business. The association hopes that the government will take up the matter with the concerned authorities in these countries to ensure that freedom of expression is respected and the ban is lifted as soon as possible. The film's success has set a new benchmark for the industry, and its sequel is scheduled for release during Eid 2026. With this latest development, the film's future in the Middle East remains uncertain, and IMPPA's appeal to PM Modi is seen as a crucial step in resolving the issue.