Saudi Arabia bans two upcoming Bollywood Diwali films

The much-anticipated films "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3"  by Anees Bazmee and "Singham Again" by Rohit Shetty are set for a Diwali worldwide release, sparking excitement over their upcoming box office showdown, with advance ticket sales already underway. However, reports from India Today reveal that Saudi Arabia has imposed a ban on the screening of both films.

According to the report, "Singham Again" has been banned in the Middle Eastern country because it depicts "religious conflict," while "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3" faced a ban due to its inclusion of "homosexual references." Despite these restrictions, both films will still be released in other parts of the UAE. 

On the same day, the Saudi authorities also banned the upcoming South Indian film "Amaran". The filmmakers' reactions to the ban are yet to be reported.

The film censorship board in Saudi Arabia is known for its strict regulations and frequently prohibits movies that do not comply with its guidelines. Typically, the country bans films that contain religiously sensitive or sexually explicit material, particularly themes that conflict with local traditions. While some films are edited to align with Saudi standards, others face outright bans.

The "Singham" franchise by Rohit Shetty has consistently won audience admiration, with viewer expectations for each instalment only growing higher. Its budget is set at a substantial Rs 400 crore, as Rohit Shetty aims to feature an ensemble of major stars. Ajay Devgn will reprise his role as the film's central hero.

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In this expansive police force, Ranveer Singh will portray Inspector Simba Bhalerao while Akshay Kumar will take on the role of Inspector Veer Sooryavanshi. The cast also includes Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jackie Shroff, Tiger Shroff, and Arjun Kapoor among others. Moreover, it was recently announced that Salman Khan will be joining Rohit Shetty's cop universe.

On the other hand, Kartik Aaryan plays the character Rooh Baba in "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3", alongside Triptii Dimri in the cast. However, the film's major highlight is the appearance of two Manjulikas, portrayed by Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan.