The release of ‘Fighter,’ featuring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, has been rejected in all Gulf countries except for the United Arab Emirates.
3 min read 2024-01-25, 12:40 AM IST
Summary
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In a disappointing turn of events for fans residing in Gulf countries who were eagerly anticipating the release of Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s much-anticipated film ‘Fighter,’ a recent announcement by film business expert and producer Girish Johar has revealed that the movie has faced an official ban across the Middle East regions for theatrical release, except in the United Arab Emirates. The film, directed by Siddharth Anand, will see its UAE release with a PG15 classification. The specific reasons behind the ban have not been disclosed.
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Despite the setback in the Gulf, ‘Fighter’ is set to hit Indian theaters on January 25, offering audiences in the home country a chance to experience the aerial action thriller. The movie features an ensemble cast, including Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover, and Akshay Oberoi.
The storyline of ‘Fighter’ revolves around the Balakot airstrike carried out by the Indian Armed Forces near the town of Balakot in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The airstrike was in response to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, claiming the lives of nearly 40 CRPF soldiers. This marks Deepika Padukone’s third collaboration with director Siddharth Anand, following ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ in 2008 and the blockbuster ‘Pathaan‘ in 2023. Similarly, it is Siddharth Anand’s third collaboration with Hrithik Roshan, the previous two being ‘Bang Bang!’ and ‘War,’ both achieving significant success at the box office.
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Hrithik Roshan takes on the role of Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania, alias Patty, while Deepika Padukone portrays Squadron Leader Minal Rathore, also known as Minni. Anil Kapoor plays the character of Group Captain Rakesh Jai Singh, alias Rocky.
Reflecting on the film, Siddharth Anand shared his sentiments, stating, “Mamta (Siddharth’s wife) and I started our film company MARFLIX with #FIGHTER. A film that is ambitious in more ways than one. It’s more than just a film for us. And we have given it all to this one.” He expressed a mix of nervousness and excitement as 2024 begins, reminiscent of the feelings during the release of ‘Pathaan.’ Siddharth Anand concluded with a New Year’s wish and an invitation for the audience to embrace ‘Fighter’ with the same love they showered on ‘Pathaan.’
As fans eagerly await the film’s release in India, the ban in Gulf countries has added a layer of complexity to its international distribution. The move to ban ‘Fighter’ in the Middle East, except for the UAE, raises questions about the factors influencing such decisions and the potential impact on the film’s overall success. However, the excitement and anticipation surrounding the film in India remain high, with audiences gearing up for the cinematic experience on January 25th.
