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Bollywood Blackout: Eid Film Releases Banned in UAE-GCC
10 Mar
Summary
- No Hindi films released in UAE-GCC for Eid for the first time since 2020.
- Dhurandhar and Border 2 banned; Toxic and Jana Nayagan postponed.
- Indian films contribute 30-35% of the Middle East box office revenue.
The UAE-GCC region is experiencing an unprecedented Bollywood blackout this Eid, with no Hindi film releases scheduled. This marks the first such occurrence since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Major releases like Dhurandhar: The Revenge and Border 2 have been banned, while Toxic and Jana Nayagan have been postponed due to geopolitical tensions and political reasons, respectively. This film absence is a significant blow, as Indian cinema typically accounts for 30-35% of the Middle East's box office revenue.
Industry experts note a recent underwhelming performance of Indian films in the Middle East, with exceptions like Kantara: A Legend Chapter - 1 and a few others. Films such as The RajaSaab have underperformed significantly.
Despite the current challenges, upcoming releases like Akshay Kumar's Bhooth Bangla are anticipated to benefit from the void. However, regional political tensions may continue to impact future film distribution.
Trade analysts highlight the importance of the UAE-GCC market, contributing significantly to overseas box office collections, especially for South Indian films and major Bollywood blockbusters like Jawan and Pushpa 2.
