In a significant development ahead of their much-anticipated Diwali clash, Ajay Devgn’s ‘Singham Again’ and Kartik Aaryan’s ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3′ have been banned from release in Saudi Arabia. The bans are attributed to concerns over the films’ content.

According to Pinkvilla reports, the ban on “Singham Again”, directed by Rohit Shetty, stems from its depiction of “religious conflict” specifically related to the Hindu-Muslim tensions depicted in the storyline. The film is the fifth installment of Shetty’s popular Cop Universe, featuring Ajay Devgn reprising his iconic role of DCP Bajirao Singham alongside Kareena Kapoor, who plays his on-screen wife Avni Kamat. The film also boasts a star cast including Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff and Jackie Shroff.

On the other hand, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3”, directed by Anees Bazmee, was banned due to references to homosexuality present in the portrayals of the characters. The film stars Kartik Aaryan in the lead role, with Triptii Dimri as his co-star, while Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit’s notable performances are also prominent.

Trailers for both films were released in early October, generating significant buzz ahead of their India release scheduled for November 1, 2024. The Saudi government’s rejection of these films highlights ongoing cultural sensitivities regarding media content in the region.