Akshay Kumar’s war drama Sky Force has been banned in several Middle Eastern countries. This includes the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman.
The film was released today (January 24) ahead of India’s Republic Day. It is based on a real-life incident that focuses on India’s first airstrike.
Reason For Sky Force Ban In Middle Eastern Countries Not Known
While the official reason for the ban has not been revealed, sources suggest that the film’s sensitive subject matter could be the cause. Sky Force revolves around the tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly the 1965 Indo-Pakistani war.
An industry insider told Bollywood Hungama, “Sky Force deals with tensions between India and Pakistan. Some films with similar themes have faced bans in the Middle East, and that could be the probable reason for this one.”
However, another source argued that the film does not indulge in jingoism or Pakistan-bashing, which has been the case with some other Bollywood films in recent years. The source added, “This ban in the Middle Eastern region comes as a huge surprise.”
Meanwhile, Sky Force seems to have sparked a bit of rivalry in Bollywood. A cryptic post from Fighter director Siddharth Anand on social media just before Sky Force’s release hinted at some underlying tension.
Anand’s post read, “Hahahaha!! Insecurity hits new lows! I feel so important today! Have faith in your own self! Come on yo!! An old saying – By blowing off another candle, won’t make yours burn brighter!”
This post led to speculation that Anand was subtly referencing Sky Force, with some fans drawing comparisons between the two films.
One user wrote, “Both will be replica to each other. Sky Force will be Fighter of 2025. BO collections will confirm this,” while another pointed out the financial differences of the films.
About The Film
Directed by debut filmmakers Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Kapur, Sky Force tells the story of India’s retaliatory airstrike on Pakistan’s Sargodha airbase during the 1965 war. The film stars Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya, who is making his Bollywood debut. Sara Ali Khan, Nimrat Kaur, and Sharad Kelkar also play pivotal roles.
For Akshay Kumar, Sky Force is a critical project. After a difficult phase in his career, a successful film could restore his position among Bollywood’s top stars.
(Also read: Akshay Kumar Feels History Books Need Update: ‘We Read About Akbar Or Aurangzeb BUT…’)
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