New Delhi: Indian films have a large and devoted following. Filmmakers frequently release their films abroad in order to attract viewers in different parts of the world. However, things can sometimes go wrong.
The film certification bodies of various countries do not always respond positively to these flicks. Many times, censor boards in other countries refuse to release some Indian films due to local laws and attitudes.
Here are 5 such films that have been censored or banned in various countries due to film certification board decisions.
1. Kashmiri Files (2022):
The film directed by Vivek Agnihotri about the flight of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley has received mixed reviews. Singapore’s censor board has declared the film illegal. The Singapore government declined categorization in response to media inquiries, citing its “provocative and one-sided representation of Muslims.”
2. Bell Bottom (2021):
Bell Bottom, starring Akshay Kumar, was inspired by real-life airline hijackings that occurred in the 1980s. The film was released worldwide except in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar, where it was banned for allegedly ‘tampering with historical facts.’
3. Kurup (2021):
Dulquer Salmaan, Sobhita Dhulipala, and even Manoj Bajpayee star in the Malayalam murder thriller. The film was prohibited in Kuwait because it depicted a criminal attempting to evade the Indian police and seeking asylum in Kuwait.
4. Padmaavat (2018):
Padmaavat has been the subject of numerous debates. The film had to deal with everything from a name change to death threats for the stars. Despite its commercial success, the film was banned in Malaysia due to worries over “Islamic sensitivities.”
5. Neerja (2016):
Neerja has received numerous honours throughout the country. The film was, however, prohibited in Pakistan for purportedly portraying the country in a negative manner. In other nations, the film was a success.
