Mumbai: The first big Bollywood release of 2026, Border 2, hits cinemas tomorrow and the buzz around the film is unmistakable. Advance bookings show strong interest across India, and overseas markets are also expected to contribute well to the opening. Nevertheless, the audience in the Gulf region will be disappointed because the movie will not be released in the UAE and other GCC states.
Industry sources indicate that Border 2 has not been given the green light in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia as well as the UAE. The reason, insiders say, follows a familiar pattern. Films that are seen as having strong anti Pakistan themes often fail to get clearance in this belt. The makers reportedly tried till the last moment, but with just a day left for release, the chances of approval appear very slim.
Why Border 2 Missed a Gulf Release
There was a source near the development stating that the team knew how dangerous it was but nonetheless made an attempt to achieve certification. However, recent trends indicate that this kind of attempt is hardly successful. Dhurandhar had a similar experience not too long ago and was refused release throughout the region.
Despite this setback, the makers of Border 2 remain confident. According to trade insiders, in the long-term, the loss in the Gulf market might not be a big issue provided the film resonates well with the viewers. Dhurandhar has continued to perform extremely well at the box office even without the Gulf collections and there is hope that Border 2 will do the same.
A Repeating Pattern for War and Political Films
Border 2 is not the first major film to face this issue. Sunny Deol’s Gadar 2 in 2023 was also denied a Gulf release for similar reasons. In 2024, Fighter, a film by Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone was initially prohibited in all Gulf states, except the UAE. Soon after, even the UAE suspended its release following criticism over the film’s portrayal of the Pulwama attack. A re edited version was later submitted but failed to receive approval.
In 2025, Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force and John Abraham’s The Diplomat were banned in several Middle Eastern countries due to concerns over their Pakistan related content. Article 370 was denied certification in the GCC and Tiger 3 banned in Oman, Kuwait and Qatar. The Kashmir Files was previously blocked in most Gulf states and later cleared by the UAE with an adults only certificate.
As Border 2 prepares for its theatrical debut, all eyes are now on audience response and box office performance. Already enjoying a good level of interest, the movie is likely to leave an impact even without a Gulf release, and again demonstrates how the sensitivity of content is still very much shaping the international voyage of Indian cinema.
Also Read | Border 2 Clears Censor Hurdle Without Cuts, Gets U/A 13+ Rating Ahead of January 23 Release
