Indian films Singham Again, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Amaran will not be released in Saudi Arabia. All three films are scheduled to release during Diwali. Apart from the Gulf country, films will also be released regularly in the rest of the UAE.

Saudi Arabia is very strict About Indian films. Gulf authorities do not allow Indian films with nationalist elements, religious or sexual content to be screened in theatres. However, this is not the first time that Indian films have been banned in the Gulf country.

For those unaware, the relevant Saudi Arabian authorities review films and censor or ban films containing religiously sensitive content, explicit sexuality, or subjects contrary to their local customs. This approach is not limited to Indian films only, but also films from other regions with similar content. Some films are specifically edited to comply with Saudi standards or are not shown at all.

In India, like every year, the Diwali window is filled with a bouquet of film releases. Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is clashing with Ajay Devgan-Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again On 1 November. In the south, Tamil films Amaran starring Sivakarthikeyan, Kavin’s Bloody Beggar and Jayam Ravi’s Brother were released on 31 October. Telugu films KA, Bagheera and Lucky Baskhar were also released on the same date.