Fighter banned in Middle-Eastern countries; only UAE to release Hrithik Roshan actioner

Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone's Fighter has been denied a release in the GCC countries, except UAE. They have not mentioned a reason but the film's content is said to be the issue.

Fighter ban- Hrithik Roshan- Deepika Padukone- Anil Kapoor film banned in Gulf countries

Fighter has been denied release in Gulf countries. (Photo: Hrithik Roshan/ Instagram)

Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s Fighter is all set to release globally on January 25, ahead of India’s 75th Republic Day. However, there are reports doing the rounds that the film has been denied release in all the Gulf countries, except UAE because of its content.

News agency ANI, on Tuesday, reported that while the reason for the ban has not been disclosed, the GCC countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will not be screening Fighter, with the UAE as the only exception. Film producer and trade expert Girish Johar had also tweeted, “In a setback, #Fighter officially banned across Middle East regions for theatrical release. Only UAE will release the film with PG15 classification!”

In a setback, #Fighter officially banned across Middle East regions for theatrical release. Only UAE will release the film with PG15 classification !@iHrithik @AnilKapoor @deepikapadukone @justSidAnand #BOTracking pic.twitter.com/vPjIV2Acz1

— Girish Johar (@girishjohar) January 23, 2024

Girish Johar told indianexpress.com, “They (The Middle Eastern countries) have withheld the certificate for their countries but they haven’t spelled out a particular reason. Barring UAE where the film has got PG15 rating, maybe they’ve asked for certain changes or probably it is the theme of the film which they think is against a particular section of the society. There’s nothing official that we have come to know, it is probably a work in progress.”

Read Fighter Movie Review and Release Live Updates here

Reportedly the film hasn’t received an approval from the GCC Censors yet. The censor screening of Fighter took place on January 10 and on Tuesday (January 23), it was announced that the film won’t be released in most Gulf countries. As per news agency ANI, a source close to the Fighter team had also confirmed the update regarding the non-release of Fighter in Gulf countries except UAE. The makers are yet to give any official statement regarding the same.

Hrithik Roshan plays the role of Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania aka Patty, while Deepika Padukone essays the role of Squadron Leader Minal Rathore aka Minni. Veteran actor Anil Kapoor plays the role of Group Captain Rakesh Jai Singh, aka Rocky. Directed by Siddharth Anand, Fighter also stars Karan Singh Grover, Akshay Oberoi, Talat Aziz, and Aamir Naik among others. The film references Pulwama terror attack and India’s response at Balakot. The film also shows the Indian armed forces taking on a threat from Pakistan, specifically Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

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