In a last-minute decision, Saudi Arabia has imposed a ban on the Bollywood films Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which were set to release on November 1, coinciding with the Diwali festival. The announcement came just a day before the anticipated box office clash between the two blockbusters.
Directed by Rohit Shetty, Singham Again features an ensemble cast, including Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Ranveer Singh. The film, however, has been prohibited in Saudi Arabia due to its depiction of religious conflict, which authorities deemed inappropriate for audiences in the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, a horror-comedy directed by Anees Bazmee and starring Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, and Madhuri Dixit, has also been barred. The ban reportedly stems from references to homosexuality in the film, a topic that clashes with Saudi Arabia’s strict censorship regulations.
The situation has been further complicated for Singham Again, as the film is also delayed in Singapore, with the release pushed to November 7 due to an incomplete censorship process.
The ban on these films highlights ongoing challenges for Indian cinema in the Gulf region. Earlier this year, Tiger 3 starring Salman Khan faced similar restrictions across Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia’s decision underscores the country’s firm commitment to censoring content that conflicts with its cultural and religious values, continuing a pattern of careful regulatory oversight.
Both films had generated considerable excitement among fans eager for the Diwali releases, but the ban has shifted attention back to content regulations in the Middle East and the constraints they place on international releases.
