Bollywood Film ‘Fighter’ Faces Ban in Gulf Countries

The highly anticipated Bollywood film “Fighter” starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone has faced a significant hurdle in its release plans. This situation is a major setback for the film’s box office prospects. As the Gulf region is a significant market for Bollywood movies.

The release of the Bollywood movie “Fighter,” starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, has hit a roadblock in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite initially avoiding restrictions in other Gulf nations, recent reports from Bollywood Hungama and Times of India reveal that Fighter has now been stopped from releasing in the UAE.

The film’s storyline, which revolves around India’s response to the Pulwama terrorist attack. It has raised concerns, leading to its ban in several regions. Initially, reports suggested that fans in Gulf countries would be disappointed, as Fighter was prohibited from release in all Gulf nations except the UAE. The exact reason for the ban was not disclosed initially.

Trade analyst Girish Johar confirmed the news, stating that the film’s trailer faced criticism, especially for its portrayal of the Pulwama attack. Some sections in Pakistan accused the movie of promoting an “anti-Pakistan” agenda and exploiting a sensitive issue. These criticisms, combined with the film’s controversial theme, likely influenced the decisions of the Gulf censor boards.

Despite the bans, Fighter will continue its theatrical run in India. Director Siddharth Anand addressed the concerns with due diligence. He urged viewers to watch the entire film for context before forming an opinion based on the trailer. He emphasized that Fighter aims to raise questions about terrorism without promoting animosity towards any nation. The lead cast echoed this sentiment, highlighting the film’s message of unity against terrorism.

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Raised Concerns

Alongside Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, the movie features Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover, Akshay Oberoi, and Sanjeeda Shaikh. It is jointly produced by Viacom18 Studios and Marflix Pictures.

The ban and suspension are a major blow to the makers of “Fighter” and the film’s box office prospects. The Gulf region is a significant market for Bollywood movies, and its exclusion significantly impacts the film’s potential earnings. Moreover, this incident highlights the challenges Bollywood faces in navigating sensitive geopolitical issues when venturing into international releases.