Saudi Arabia bans Singham Again' and 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Diwali release | The Express Tribune

Saudi Arabia has announced a ban on the much-anticipated films Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which were set to release on November 1, coinciding with the Diwali festival. This decision comes just one day before what was expected to be a major box office clash between the two films.

Singham Again, directed by Rohit Shetty and featuring a star-studded cast that includes Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Ranveer Singh, has been banned due to its portrayal of religious coNFLict.

Meanwhile, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, a horror-comedy directed by Anees Bazmee, has been barred for containing homosexual references. Both films were poised to attract large audiences during the festive season, but strict censorship regulations in Saudi Arabia have deemed their content inappropriate.

The situation is compounded for Singham Again, as the film will also not be released in Singapore. Reports indicate that the censor process was not completed in time, resulting in a delay of its release in Singapore until November 7.

In addition to the bans, both films were surrounded by considerable buzz in the lead-up to their release. The third installment of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise stars Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, and Madhuri Dixit, aiming to captivate audiences with its mix of comedy and horror.

However, the film's refusal to conform to local cultural sensitivities has led to its exclusion from Saudi theatres.

This is not the first time Indian films have faced bans in the region. Previous films, such as Salman Khan's Tiger 3, were also banned in Gulf countries due to controversial portrayals.

The enforcement of these stringent policies reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to regulating content that may coNFLict with its cultural and religious values.