Bollywood’s highly anticipated Diwali releases, Ajay Devgn’s Singham Again and Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, have been banned in Saudi Arabia, just days before their scheduled release on November 1. While both films are set to hit theaters globally, they will not be screened in the Middle Eastern nation due to strict censorship laws regarding religiously sensitive material and sexual themes.
The Saudi Arabian censor board is known for its stringent guidelines, often prohibiting films that fail to align with local customs and sensibilities. Reports indicate that Singham Again has been banned primarily for its portrayal of “religious conflict,” while Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 faced censorship due to “homosexual references.” Despite these bans, both films will still be released in the rest of the UAE.
Singham Again marks the third sequel in the popular cop franchise, with Devgn reprising his role as DCP Bajirao Singham. This installment is also the fifth entry in Rohit Shetty’s cop universe and draws inspiration from the Ramayan, depicting the journey of Lord Ram as he seeks Goddess Sita, who has been abducted by Raavan. The film features an ensemble cast including Kareena Kapoor as Avni, Arjun Kapoor as Danger Lanka, and Tiger Shroff as ACP Satya Bali, a character inspired by Lakshman. Additionally, Akshay Kumar is set to make an extended cameo as DCP Veer Sooryavanshi, while Salman Khan’s cameo as Chulbul Pandey remains under wraps.
On the other hand, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 continues the popular horror-comedy franchise and includes a star-studded cast featuring Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and Rajpal Yadav, among others. This time, the narrative takes a twist with the introduction of two Manjulikas, portrayed by Balan and Dixit.
The bans highlight the ongoing challenges faced by filmmakers in navigating international markets with differing cultural sensitivities, as they strive to present their stories while adhering to local regulations. Fans of Bollywood will be eager to see how these films perform in regions where they are permitted, despite their absence from the Saudi Arabian cinema landscape.
Sources By Agencies
