The film Dhurandhar was released in India and international theatres on 5 December 2025. However, film certification boards in several Gulf countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE refused to permit its release, citing alleged anti-Pakistan content and sensitive geopolitical themes.

This report examines ten major Indian films between 2012 and 2025 that were banned in Gulf countries on grounds of Islam-related, religious, or broader social sensitivities.

#1 ‘Dhurandhar’ Banned Over Alleged Anti-Pakistan Content – 11 December 2025

Region: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain

The film Dhurandhar, released on 5 December 2025, was denied theatrical release across several Gulf countries after certification boards objected to its alleged anti-Pakistan content and sensitive geopolitical themes. Authorities cited concerns that the film could disrupt social harmony, given the large Pakistani and South Asian expatriate population in the region. When the film’s makers approached the censor boards, extensive cuts were reportedly demanded. The team declined, stating the edits would compromise the film’s narrative. As a result, the film was not cleared for release in the Gulf despite its international rollout.

#2 ‘Sky Force’ Barred in Multiple Gulf States – 24 January 2025

Region: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait

The Akshay Kumar–Veer Pahariya starrer Sky Force was banned in several Gulf countries over its depiction of conflict involving Pakistan. Certification authorities reportedly objected to the film’s portrayal of India–Pakistan military tensions, deeming it politically sensitive. The film, which centred on aerial combat and cross-border hostilities, was not granted theatrical permission in the region. Officials cited the potential for diplomatic and social sensitivities, particularly among expatriate communities, as the reason for refusing certification.

#3 ‘Fighter’ Blocked Over India-Pakistan and IAF Content – 26 January 2024

Region: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, UAE

Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone-starrer Fighter was denied certification in five Gulf countries less than 24 hours before its scheduled release. Authorities cited politically sensitive content linked to the Indian Air Force and India–Pakistan relations. In the UAE, the film initially received a PG-15 rating but was withdrawn from cinemas the following day. Censor boards stated that the subject matter could trigger political or social tensions among diverse national communities living in the region.

#4 ‘Article 370’ Banned Across Gulf Countries – 26 February 2024

Region: Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, UAE

The film Article 370 was banned by Gulf censor authorities due to its focus on the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The boards classified the film as politically sensitive and controversial, citing concerns over its depiction of constitutional and security issues related to Kashmir. As a result, theatrical release permission was denied across several Gulf states, despite the film’s release in India.

#5 ‘Tiger 3’ Restricted Over Portrayal of Muslim Characters – November 2023

Region: Kuwait, Oman, Qatar

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif-starrer Tiger 3 was banned in Kuwait, Oman and Qatar over allegations that the film portrayed Muslim characters negatively. Authorities raised objections to certain characters and plot elements involving terrorism and geopolitics. The presence of a Muslim antagonist, played by Emraan Hashmi as the leader of a global terror organisation, was cited as a contributing factor. The countries said the content could be politically and religiously sensitive.

#6 ‘Kaathal – The Core’ Blocked Over Homosexuality Theme – 21 November 2023

Region: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar

The Malayalam film Kaathal – The Core, which explores a homosexual relationship, was denied release in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. Censor authorities said the film’s LGBTQ theme conflicted with cultural and social norms in those countries. Directed by Jeo Baby, the film was described as a romantic thriller examining personal relationships. Officials stated that the subject matter could challenge prevailing social sensitivities, leading to a complete ban on theatrical screening.

#7 Vijay’s ‘Beast’ Banned in Kuwait and Qatar – 5 April 2022

Region: Kuwait, Qatar

The Tamil film Beast, starring Vijay and directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, was banned in Kuwait and Qatar over its depiction of Islamic terrorism. The film centres on a former RAW agent rescuing hostages from terrorists inside a shopping mall. Authorities objected to what they described as the portrayal of Islamic characters as extremists. The decision triggered controversy and led to the film being barred from release in both countries.

#8 ‘Samrat Prithviraj’ Denied Release in Kuwait and Oman – 2 June 2022

Region: Kuwait, Oman

The historical film Samrat Prithviraj, starring Akshay Kumar, was banned in Kuwait and Oman ahead of its release. Certification boards cited concerns that the film, which depicts King Prithviraj Chauhan’s battles against Muhammad Ghori, could hurt Muslim sentiments. Authorities classified the content as religiously and politically sensitive and declined to permit its theatrical release.

#9 ‘Bell Bottom’ Banned Over Alleged Distortion of History – 23 August 2021

Region: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar

Akshay Kumar-starrer Bell Bottom was banned in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. The film, based on a 1980s aircraft hijacking, was accused by censor boards of distorting historical facts and portraying Islam negatively. Authorities said the treatment of the hijacking incident was sensitive and controversial, leading to the denial of certification in the region.

#10 ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ Banned in Kuwait and Qatar – 22 June 2012

Region: Kuwait, Qatar

Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur was banned in Kuwait and Qatar due to alleged objectionable content involving Muslim characters, excessive violence and abusive language. The censor boards said the film contained material that could offend religious and cultural sensibilities. Kashyap publicly expressed surprise at the decision, questioning the lack of neutrality, and noted that the film continued to perform well in the UAE without complaints from distributors.

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The post From Dhurandhar To Gangs Of Wasseypur: 10 Indian Films Banned In Gulf Countries Over ‘Political’ And ‘Religious’ Sensitivities appeared first on The Commune.