Indian Movies Banned In 2025: As 2025 comes to an end, it's time to reflect on the Indian movies that not only led to discussions but also sparked controversy that culminated in bans. Big budgeted movies like Dhurandhar, Sardaar Ji 3, Thug Life and several others became catalysts, demonstrating how cinema this year typically clashed with public sentiment, geopolitics, and cultural divides. 

Dhurandhar was banned in a number of Gulf nations due to worries that the nations might be interpreted as anti-Pakistan, while Sardaar Ji 3 was banned because Pakistani actor Hania Aamir was cast in it. The Diljit Dosanjh led Punjabi horror comedy was released overseas amid growing tension between India and Pakistan. Thug Life also faced criticism, particularly in Karnataka due to controversial remarks by the veteran Kamal Haasan.

Here is a closer look at Indian movies that were banned in India or overseas, ranging from horror comedy to political dramas and spy thriller:

Dhurandhar

 
 
 
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Dhurandhar, Ranveer Singh's latest spy thriller, may be popular in India, but it has reached a dead end abroad, particularly in the Middle East. Six Gulf nations—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—have reportedly banned the movie due to its anti-Pakistan content. The broad ban has reignited a well-known discussion about how Indian movies with international themes are scrutinized more in the Middle East.

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Sardaar Ji 3

 
 
 
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Pakistani actor Hania Aamir plays a ghostbuster in Sardaar Ji 3 opposite Diljit Dosanjh. Due to the controversy surrounding the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir, the Punjabi film was essentially prohibited from being released in India. As a result, the producers only released it abroad in June 2025, despite receiving criticism and demands for boycotts in India. After the Pahalgam attack, Sardaar Ji 3's crew chose to forego the Indian market in order to prevent future problems and honor national sensibilities, but it went on to become a tremendous success abroad.

Abir Gulaal

Vaani Kapoor and Fawad Khan play the key parts in the romantic cross-border film Abir Gulaal. Prominent performers including Lisa Haydon, Farida Jalal, and Soni Razdan are present in the movie.The Indian government banned all Pakistani celebrities and removed their plays, TV shows, and movies from YouTube and over-the-top (OTT) platforms after a terrorist incident in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Because of this, Abir Gulaal, one of the most contentious movies of 2025, was unable to be released in India.

The Diplomat

 
 
 
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ALSO READ - The Diplomat: Real Life Story Of JP Singh Who Rescued Uzma Ahmed Stuck In Pakistan With Late Sushma Swaraj's Help

John Abraham took the lead The Diplomat, which centers on Indian diplomat J.P. Singh's attempts to save Uzma Ahmed, an Indian woman ensnared in a forced marriage in Pakistan, is based on actual events. Several Middle Eastern nations banned the film. The Diplomat will not be screened in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, according to reports, despite the lack of an official justification. Given how important the Gulf market is to Bollywood, the embargo had a substantial impact on its international strategy.

Thug Life

Thug Life, which debuted in theaters across the globe on June 5, 2025, was not released in Karnataka due to controversial statement made by Kamal Haasan. He made the claim that 'Kannada language is born from Tamil' during a promotional event, which sparked strong resistance in the state. The State was ordered by the Supreme Court to release the movie, but Karnataka's distributors refused to purchase it.


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