Unexpectedly, the release of “Fighter,” starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, has encountered a setback in the UAE. Despite initially avoiding bans in other Gulf countries, recent reports from Bollywood Hungama and Times of India indicate that “Fighter” has now been suspended in the UAE as well.

The film’s storyline, centered on India’s reaction to the sensitive Pulwama terrorist attack. The story  sparked concerns and led to its prohibition in various regions. Reports from Indian media mentioned that fans in Gulf countries, eagerly anticipating the film’s release, would be disappointed as “Fighter” was denied release in all Gulf nations except the UAE. The specific reason for the prohibition was not initially disclosed.

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Fighter Targeting Pakistan 

Criticism of the film’s trailer, particularly regarding its portrayal of the Pulwama attack, emerged, with some voices in Pakistan accusing it of promoting an “anti-Pakistan” narrative and exploiting a sensitive issue. These critiques, alongside the film’s contentious theme, likely influenced the decisions of the Gulf censor boards.

Director Siddharth Anand addressed these concerns. Urging viewers to watch the entire film for context before forming opinions solely based on the trailer. He stressed that “Fighter” aims to prompt discussions about terrorism without inciting hostility towards any specific nation. The main cast echoed this sentiment, underscoring the film’s message of unity in the fight against terrorism.

Reports indicate that ‘Fighter’ has already amassed over 3.66 crore from advance bookings for its first day of release in India. Over 113,110 tickets have been reportedly sold for the opening day across India. While international ticket sales crossing the $300K mark. Alongside Deepika and Hrithik, ‘Fighter’ features Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover, and Akshay Oberoi in prominent roles.

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