Fighter First Day First Show: Hrithik Roshan actioner denied release in most GCC countries

Bollywood superstars Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s Fighter released across the globe on January 25, ahead of India’s 75th Republic Day. But the film has been denied release in all the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, except the UAE.

The exact reason behind the ban remains unclear, but it seems it has something to do with Fighter’s content. On Tuesday, news agency ANI reported Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are not ready to screen the movie.

Film producer and trade expert Girish Johar took to X, previously known as Twitter, to state: “In a setback, #Fighter officially banned across Middle East regions for theatrical release. Only UAE will release the film with PG15 classification!”

In a setback, #Fighter officially banned across Middle East regions for theatrical release. Only UAE will release the film with PG15 classification !@iHrithik @AnilKapoor @deepikapadukone @justSidAnand #BOTracking pic.twitter.com/vPjIV2Acz1

— Girish Johar (@girishjohar) January 23, 2024

Fans make ‘Fighter First Day First Show’ trend on X

Reports suggest the actioner has not received approval from the GCC Censors yet. January 10 marked the censor screening of Fighter and on January 23, it came in the news that the movie isn’t expected to be released in most Gulf countries.

Fighter stars Hrithik Roshan as Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania aka Patty, Deepika Padukone as Squadron Leader Minal Rathore aka Minni and veteran actor Anil Kapoor as Group Captain Rakesh Jai Singh aka Rocky.

Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film also stars Karan Singh Grover, Akshay Oberoi and Sanjeeda Sheikh, among others. It references the Pulwama terror attack and India’s response at Balakot, besides showing the Indian armed forces taking on a threat from Pakistan.

Fighter box office collection game going strong

Fighter has been billed as India’s aerial action. It has primarily been shot at air bases in India, using real Sukhois, Indian fighter planes. The film’s trailer dropped 10 days earlier and featured intense aerial action sequences, as expected.

Fans are making ‘Fighter First Day First Show’ trend on X. One noted: “Deepika Padukone’s impressive feat of flying an aircraft onscreen truly underscores her status as India’s best actress,” according to Hindustan Times.

Moviegoers dance to 'Sher Khul Gaye' in FDFS of #Fighter #FighterFirstDayFirstShow at PVR Imax Lower Parel, Mumbai pic.twitter.com/cY2SAd1MUP

— Fenil Seta (@fenil_seta) January 25, 2024

According to a report by Sacnilk.com, the film is expected to collect in the range of Rs 25 crore net on its first day of release in India. The numbers could pick up more from Friday – a holiday in the country, and then stay strong through Saturday and Sunday.

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