The much-anticipated aerial action film Sky Force has made its grand debut today, marking the first major Bollywood release of 2025. The film, which stars Akshay Kumar, Sara Ali Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Sharad Kelkar, and newcomer Veer Pahariya, has garnered a massive release across the globe—except in the Middle East.
According to Bollywood Hungama, Sky Force has not been screened in key Middle Eastern territories like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. While no official explanation for the ban has been provided, speculation points to the film’s theme. An industry insider shared, “The movie touches upon tensions between India and Pakistan. In the past, similar films have faced bans in this region, which could explain the situation.”
However, a trade analyst expressed disbelief at the decision, noting, “Sky Force is not jingoistic or anti-Pakistan like some other Bollywood films. Its ban in the Middle East is surprising, especially since it handles its subject matter with sensitivity.”
This isn’t the first Bollywood project to face a ban in the Gulf. Recent films such as Fighter (2024), Article 370 (2024), Tiger 3 (2023), and Beast (2022) were also barred from release in the region due to their portrayal of conflicts involving India and Pakistan or other politically sensitive themes.
Set in 1965 and inspired by true events, Sky Force chronicles India’s first aerial strike during the Indo-Pak war. Produced by Dinesh Vijan, Jyoti Deshpande, and Amar Kaushik under Maddock Films and Jio Studios, the movie is directed by debutants Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Anil Kapur. With high-octane action and a compelling narrative, Sky Force promises to offer a gripping cinematic experience for audiences worldwide, barring the Middle Eastern belt.
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