Decision by the Mauritius Film Classification Board - Dhurandhar: Screenings Prohibited Before 6 PM
The Mauritius Film Classification Board (MFCB) has made a groundbreaking decision regarding the Bollywood thriller "Dhurandhar," which is classified as 18R (Restricted). The official directive prohibits MCine theatres from screening the film before 6 PM due to its violent scenes. The cinema management describes this measure as "unfair," given the already strict classification of the film, and anticipates significant financial losses.
Rajeshwar Callicharan, director of MCine, confirmed the restriction imposed by the MFCB, an organization under the Ministry of Arts and Culture. He stated, "We are not allowed to screen this film before 6 PM. This decision was made by the MFCB due to the violent scenes. However, the film already has an 18R rating. With such restrictions, we will suffer considerable financial losses."
Callicharan expects substantial revenue loss. While the acquisition cost of "Dhurandhar" is estimated at around Rs 1.5 million, he fears that if the daytime screening ban remains in place, they might only recoup Rs 500,000. This time restriction excludes afternoon screenings, which are crucial for revenue, particularly affecting seniors and night workers who will be unable to watch the film.
He emphasized that the local film industry is going through a tough time and finds this decision contradictory: "It’s incredible because the film is being screened worldwide and is attracting a large audience. I can't understand the specific issue in Mauritius." Callicharan announced that he is continuing discussions with the authorities to quickly lift the restriction.
In a statement, the Ministry of Arts and Culture highlighted that this decision was made solely by the MFCB. "The ministry was never consulted or informed in advance about such a measure. We only became aware of it through MCine's announcement. We confirm that MCine has already submitted a formal request to the MFCB to review the imposed directive."
Moreover, Minister Mahen Gondeea stated he is closely monitoring the situation and remains attentive to the actions taken to ensure that the regulatory framework is applied rigorously while considering public expectations and industry operators.
Contrasting Success and Controversy
The film, featuring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, has achieved immediate box-office success, surpassing the 1 billion Indian rupee mark in its opening weekend and maintaining strong momentum over its first four days, indicating an exceptional first week of release.
Alongside this success, the film is facing criticism in India, where it has been compared to other controversial works like "Animal" and "Kill." Critics, including creator Dhruv Rathee, have condemned the film's content for being excessively violent.
In response, director Suparn Varma defends his work, arguing that the violence is justified by the context of the gang wars in Lyari that he portrays. He denounces the "cultural hypocrisy" that critiques violence in a Hindi film more harshly than in foreign productions.
Released on December 5, "Dhurandhar," directed by Aditya Dhar, delves into a secret Indian operation. Agent Hamza Ali Mazari (Ranveer Singh) infiltrates Pakistan to dismantle local operations, confronting the underworld led by Rehman Dacait (Akshaye Khanna). The film also stars R Madhavan and Arjun Rampal, along with young actress Sara Arjun, presenting an intense espionage thriller. The film is planned to be released in two parts, with the second part expected in March 2026.
