Fighter, starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, will reportedly not release in all Gulf countries except the UAE. This unexpected decision comes as a disappointment for fans eagerly awaiting the movie, leaving many questioning the reasons behind the denial.
Hrithik Roshan & Deepika Padukone’s Fighter to release only in UAE
According to recent reports, Fighter has failed to secure approval from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Censors, leading to its denial of release in countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, and others. Despite the censor screening on January 10, 2024, the official communication regarding the ban was made on January 23, 2024. Thus, this leaves the filmmakers in a challenging position.
Film business expert and producer Girish Johar confirmed the setback. He stated, “In a setback, #Fighter officially banned across Middle East regions for theatrical release. Only UAE will release the film with PG15 classification !”
The denial of release in most Gulf countries is undoubtedly a setback for Siddharth Anand and the Fighter team. While the specific reasons behind the denial remain undisclosed, industry experts speculate that it could be due to objectionable content or elements deemed disturbing by the censors.
Notably, recent instances, such as the ban on Tiger 3 in Kuwait and Qatar, highlight the sensitivity of regional censorship boards. In addition, Fighter stands to lose a significant portion of potential business, estimated to be between 500k to $1 million, due to the denial of clearance by GCC Censors.
Fighter OTT release date and streaming platform
Despite the setback in Gulf countries, Fighter has secured Netflix’s digital rights for a substantial amount. The movie is set to make its OTT debut 56 days after its theatrical release. It adheres to the guidelines mandated by multiplex associations.
In conclusion, Fighter is gearing up for its global release on January 25, 2024.
