The arrival of ‘Border 2’ is being treated as a landmark moment for cinema in 2026. Yet, the film’s journey has met a roadblock in the Gulf region. Countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have chosen not to screen it, echoing the fate of Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar’, say reports. This decision reflects a broader trend where movies viewed as critical of Pakistan rarely find approval in that circuit. It is being said that the creators of ‘Border 2’ did pursue clearance, but their efforts did not succeed. With only a single day remaining before the premiere, faint optimism lingers, though the likelihood of reversal is slim. Still, the production team remains confident. They believe that if audiences connect with the story, the film’s success will be driven by its resonance rather than its absence in one market. For them, the Gulf exclusion is not a defining setback but a minor detour on a larger path to triumph.
