Mumbai: Yami Gautam-starrer ‘Article 370’ has been banned in Gulf countries, reported ANI.
Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, the film – based on anti-terrorism operations in Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370 on 2019 — was released in theatres on February 23..
The movie got off to a decent start in the box office, both in domestic and international markets. However, this ban will be a huge setback as Bollywood films are extremely popular in the Gulf region.
There has been no official explanation yet from the Gulf certification board.
The makers of the film have been taken by surprise.
“The ban in Gulf countries comes as a surprise, particularly considering the region’s thriving tourism industry and the continued presence of Indian movies being filmed there. The disparity between Bollywood’s contribution to the Gulf’s entertainment industry and the lack of access to Indian films in its theatres is glaring. While Indian cinema enjoys a dedicated fan base in the region, the absence of films like ‘Article 370’ emphasises a concerning trend of censorship and limited cultural exchange,” ANI quoted a statement from the makers as saying.
“The film primarily explores universal human experiences within the framework of a complex socio-political landscape. Themes of identity, struggle, and resilience resonate deeply throughout the narrative as it delves into the aspirations and challenges faced by individuals amidst turbulent times, fostering understanding and dialogue in the process,” it added.
Yami an intelligence officer Zooni Haksar in the film, which also features Priyamani, Arun Govil and Kiran Karmarkar.
‘Article 370’ is not the first Indian movie to be banned in the Gulf region.
Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone -starrer ‘Fighter’, which was also banned in all Gulf nations except the UAE.
Indian Movies Banned In Gulf Countries
* Article 370 (Yami Gautam) in 2024
* Fighter (Hrithik Roshan & Deepika Padukone) in 2023
* Tiger 3 (Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif) in 2023
* The Kashmir Files (Anupam Kher & Pallavi Joshi) in 2022
* Bell Bottom (Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor & Lara Dutta) in 2021
* The Dirty Picture (Vidya Balan & Emraan Hashmi) in 2011.
