Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna’s spy thriller Dhurandhar has closed the year as one of Bollywood’s most notable international successes, recording robust overseas receipts despite a ban in six Gulf countries. The film entered the ₹1,000 crore club worldwide and remains on course to finish among the top overseas earners for a Hindi film.
Dhurandhar overseas box office shows resilience
After four weeks in release, Dhurandhar’s overseas distributors report collections of $29.50 million, roughly ₹264 crore. Analysts expect the film to reach about $35 million, or approximately ₹315 crore, by the close of its theatrical run. Those figures are particularly striking given that Dhurandhar did not secure clearance from censor boards in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
The ban in the Gulf has cost the production an estimated ₹90 crore, or $10.8 million, according to industry sources. Still, the film’s international haul already compares favourably with several recent Bollywood blockbusters, and it has outperformed the overseas business of titles such as Sanju, Padmaavat and Bajrangi Bhaijaan when measured at comparable stages of their runs.
Domestically, Dhurandhar benefited from a slow start followed by strong word of mouth, propelling it to become the highest grossing film of the year in India. The movie is reported to be approaching ₹750 crore in India alone. Its commercial dominance also narrowed the room for competing releases; several Hindi films released after Dhurandhar struggled at the box office.
The limited Gulf release highlights how geopolitical and cultural sensitivities can affect commercial distribution. Distributors cited the film’s perceived anti-Pakistan narrative as the reason for denied clearance in those territories. While the absence of six key markets trimmed potential revenues, the film’s performance in other international territories and in India helped compensate for much of the shortfall.
Industry observers note that Dhurandhar’s success reflects both the growing global appetite for Indian content and the strength of star-driven, well marketed thrillers. The film’s blend of high production values, star power and escalating audience endorsement created sustained box office momentum. It also benefited from ancillary moves such as tax-free status in Ladakh, which aided regional ticket sales.
Looking ahead, distributors expect continued earnings from remaining markets, home entertainment windows and streaming rights. A final overseas tally near $35 million would secure Dhurandhar a place among the biggest Bollywood overseas grosser in recent memory, especially notable given the absence of key Gulf territories.
For the broader industry, Dhurandhar offers a case study in how films can absorb regional market losses through strong performances elsewhere. The episode also underlines the commercial impact of censorship decisions and diplomatic sensitivities on distribution strategies for Indian cinema abroad.
Key Takeaways:
- Dhurandhar overseas box office reaches $29.5 million (approx ₹264 crore) after four weeks, with projections of $35 million (approx ₹315 crore).
- The film missed release in six Gulf states due to censorship issues, costing an estimated ₹90 crore ($10.8 million).
- Strong word of mouth drove domestic and international earnings, placing the film in the ₹1,000 crore club worldwide and near ₹750 crore in India.
- Dhurandhar overseas box office performance outpaces several recent Bollywood hits despite limited release.
