Dubai, UAE – The much-anticipated Hindi-language action film Tiger 3, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, has reportedly been banned in Gulf states Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. Released on the occasion of Diwali, the film has marked its entry into the record books as the highest-grossing Diwali day release.
While the ban is yet to be officially confirmed, speculations abound regarding the reasons behind it. According to reports in Indian publications, concerns have been raised over the portrayal of Muslims in the film, particularly the character played by Emraan Hashmi, who assumes the role of the antagonist, leading a global terror organization. Critics argue that the film perpetuates Islamophobic tropes, a sentiment that might have influenced the decision to ban it in these Gulf countries.
This is not the first instance of a film facing a ban in the Gulf region. Last year, the Tamil-language film Beast encountered a similar fate in Kuwait and Qatar, allegedly due to its portrayal of Muslims as terrorists and dialogues perceived as anti-Pakistan. Additionally, the historical epic Samrat Prithviraj faced bans in Kuwait and Oman, with reasons cited as “distorting history” and “hurting sentiments” of the Muslim community.
Tiger 3 unfolds as a spy-thriller, with the plot revolving around protagonists venturing into Pakistan to prevent the assassination of the country’s Prime Minister. Reports suggest that the Middle East countries are cautious about screening the film due to its India-Pakistan narrative.
