Ranveer Singh's spy thriller Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, has achieved remarkable success on Netflix, topping the charts in both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan, despite not having a theatrical release in either country. The film's digital debut on January 30, 2026, has reignited discussions about film bans and the power of streaming platforms to transcend geographical and political barriers.
Dhurandhar, which stars Ranveer Singh as an undercover Indian intelligence agent infiltrating a dangerous gang in Lyari, Pakistan, led by Akshaye Khanna, was banned from theatrical release in several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. The reason cited was the film's alleged "anti-Pakistan narrative". Pakistan has had an official ban on Indian films since 2019.
Despite these bans, Dhurandhar's availability on Netflix has allowed viewers in these regions to access the film, leading to its number one ranking in both the UAE and Pakistan. This highlights the power of streaming platforms to bypass traditional censorship and distribution channels.
The film's success in Pakistan is particularly noteworthy. According to reports, Dhurandhar quickly climbed to the top spot on Netflix Pakistan, surpassing other Bollywood titles. Social media has been abuzz with reactions from Pakistani viewers, with many praising the film's realism and portrayal of Pakistani society. One Reddit user commented, "As a Pakistani, it's the best ever Bollywood movie I ever watched... First time I saw a film where actual research has been done...". Some Pakistani viewers have lauded the film for its realistic depiction and for avoiding stereotypical portrayals of Pakistanis.
Dhurandhar is a spy thriller that blends fictional elements with real-life geopolitical events and conflicts in South Asia. The film's storyline draws inspiration from events such as the 1999 IC-814 hijacking, the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and developments related to Pakistan's Operation Lyari. The movie follows an Indian spy infiltrating Karachi's criminal syndicates and political structures to dismantle a terror network targeting India.
The film has received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its performances, direction, cinematography, action sequences, and music, but criticism for its runtime and pacing. Some critics have also pointed out the film's political agenda and its potential to be perceived as propaganda. Despite the mixed critical reception, Dhurandhar has been a commercial success, grossing over ₹1300 crore worldwide.
Dhurandhar's success on Netflix demonstrates that a film doesn't necessarily need a theatrical release to reach a wide audience, especially when it combines star power, strong performances, and a compelling story. The film stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan.
A sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, is scheduled for release in cinemas on March 19, 2026. However, the streaming rights for the sequel have reportedly been acquired by Jio Hotstar, instead of Netflix.