The much-awaited Bollywood biggie, Border 2, is gearing up for its grand release, sparking immense excitement among fans globally. However, an exclusive report reveals a significant development: the film will not be released in Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Reasons Behind the Ban
The decision stems from a recurring issue faced by films perceived to have 'anti-Pakistan' content. Despite attempts by the Border 2 team to secure a release, their efforts proved unsuccessful. This perception often leads to a ban in the UAE/GCC belt, impacting the film's reach in these regions.
Makers Remain Unfazed
Interestingly, the makers of Border 2 are not overly concerned by this ban. Their confidence stems from the belief that if the film resonates with Indian and other global audiences, its box office collections will soar, potentially offsetting any losses from the Gulf region. This sentiment is echoed by recent examples:
* Dhurandhar (2025): Faced a similar ban but still excelled at the ticket window. * Gadar 2 (2023): Sunny Deol's blockbuster also did not release in the Gulf region but achieved massive success.
Past Precedents and Similar Cases
The ban on Border 2 is not an isolated incident. Several high-profile Bollywood films have encountered similar issues in the Middle East due to content concerns:
* Fighter (2024): Initially banned in all Gulf countries except UAE, then suspended even in UAE after re-edited versions were rejected, primarily due to its depiction of the Pulwama attack and alleged 'anti-Pakistan' agenda. * Sky Force (2025) & The Diplomat (2025): Both Akshay Kumar and John Abraham starrers, dealing with Pakistan-related themes, were banned in several Middle Eastern countries. * Article 370 (2024): Based on the revocation of a controversial article in Kashmir, it was refused certification in GCC. * Tiger 3 (2023): Salman Khan's action thriller was banned in Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar. * The Kashmir Files (2022): Initially banned in several Gulf states, including UAE, though UAE later cleared it with an adults-only certificate.
Despite these regional hurdles, the anticipation for Border 2 remains high, with strong pre-sales indicating a healthy opening worldwide. The film industry will be watching closely to see if Border 2 can follow the path of its predecessors and achieve significant box office success despite the Gulf ban.
