This Diwali season, Bollywood titans Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 were set to battle it out at the box office with immense anticipation surrounding both films. However, fans in Saudi Arabia will miss out on the excitement as both films have been banned in the country.
Saudi Arabia’s Strict Censorship Policies
Saudi Arabia is known for its stringent film censorship regulations, focusing on content that aligns with the country’s cultural and religious values. Content with themes of violence, nationalism, and certain religious portrayals may face restrictions, which has impacted several international films in recent years. Sources indicate that Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 did not meet these regulatory standards, leading to their ban in Saudi theaters.
Not the First Time for Bollywood Films
This isn’t the first instance of Bollywood movies facing restrictions in Saudi Arabia. Last year, Salman Khan’s Tiger 3 was banned in Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar due to alleged negative portrayals. Similarly, Fighter starring Deepika Padukone and Hrithik Roshan, faced restrictions due to its patriotic theme.
Tamil Film Amaran Also Barred from Release
Alongside these Bollywood releases, Tamil film Amaran, based on the valor of Major Mukund Varadarajan, will also not be screened in Saudi Arabia. Known for its patriotic narrative, Amaran is reportedly banned under similar guidelines, although it will still premiere in other parts of the UAE.
Selective Film Edits: A Common Practice
In some cases, films with controversial themes are selectively edited to align with Saudi regulations. However, when edits cannot sufficiently conform to local guidelines, films may face outright bans, as in the case of Singham Again, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Amaran.
For Bollywood and Tamil cinema fans in Saudi Arabia, this Diwali may lack the cinematic spark, but these movies remain accessible in other regions across the UAE.
