In a move aimed at boosting local tourism and filmmaking, Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has declared the Bollywood spy thriller Dhurandhar tax-free in the Union Territory. The announcement, made via an official X post from the Lt. Governor’s office, highlights the film’s extensive shooting in Ladakh’s stunning landscapes and aligns with the administration’s upcoming New Film Policy to position the region as a prime destination for movie productions.
The film, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, weaves a narrative around an Indian spy infiltrating Pakistani criminal networks to expose cross-border terrorism, including elements of Indian complicity. Shot amid Ladakh’s rugged terrain, Dhurandhar has been praised by the administration for showcasing the area’s potential.
Lt Governor Shri @KavinderGupta declares Bollywood film “Dhurandhar” tax-free in UT #Ladakh.
— Office of the Lt. Governor, Ladakh (@lg_ladakh) January 2, 2026
Shot extensively in the region, the film spotlights Ladakh’s cinematic landscapes, signalling strong support for filmmakers and reinforcing the UT’s push to emerge as a preferred
“The film spotlights Ladakh’s cinematic landscapes, signalling strong support for filmmakers and reinforcing the UT’s push to emerge as a preferred destination for film shoots and tourism,” the X post stated. This tax waiver is expected to encourage more Bollywood ventures in the region, potentially injecting economic growth through incentives and infrastructure support.
Despite facing sharp criticism from segments of the liberal media and Islamist-leaning commentators, Dhurandhar has shattered box office records, emerging as the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025. As of January 1, 2026, the movie has grossed over ₹1,164 crore worldwide, with ₹926 crore from India alone, making it the first Bollywood release to cross ₹700 crore domestically.
The movie reported double-digit daily collections even in its fourth week, surpassing global earnings of previous hits like Pushpa 2 and Jawan, and cementing its status as the biggest Hindi release internationally. On its 28th day, the film saw a 43% jump in Indian collections, defying competition from new releases like Ikkis.
The film’s success persists amid a barrage of attacks from the “Islamist-left liberal ecosystem,” who call it a propaganda movie, alleging that it vilifies Muslims and demonises Pakistan. Several left-liberal journalists and film reviewers have accused the movie of promoting anti-Pakistan sentiment and gaslighting audiences into accepting bigoted views as entertainment.
The movie has been banned in several Middle Eastern countries, and a distributor said that it has caused Dhuhrandhar to lose around USD 10 million.
