Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Ban Bollywood Film Bell Bottom for ‘Distorting Facts’

Three gulf nations have banned Akshay Kumar’s 'Bell Bottom' for allegedly tampering with historical facts.

Akshay Kumar’s recently released film ‘Bell Bottom’, which became the first Indian film to hit the theatres worldwide amid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic is receiving praise from all quarters. ‘BellBottom’ which was released on August 19 in theatres has received rave response from both critics and viewers.

However, now three gulf nations have banned the film for allegedly tampering with historical facts.

According to various online reports, the film certification authorities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar have banned the screening of ‘BellBottom’ in their countries because of alleged ‘tampering with historical facts’. The spy-thriller is based on the series of plane hijacks during the time when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India.

A report in Bollywood Hungama added that the second half of ‘Bell Bottom’ shows the hijackers taking the aircraft to Dubai from Lahore. As per the actual incident that took place in 1984, United Arab Emirates Defence Minister, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum had personally handled the situation and it was the UAE authorities who had nabbed the hijackers. The source further told the news portal that there is a strong possibility that the Censor Board in the Middle Eastern countries must have taken objection to it and hence banned the film.

‘Bell Bottom’ also stars Vaani Kapoor, Lara Dutta, Huma Qureshi and Adil Hussain in key roles.

The film released across India in cinema halls with 50% occupancy. On Friday (August 20), the film raked in Rs 2.75 crore in box office credits while on Saturday, the movie earned Rs 2.40 crore, as per a Bollywood Hungama report.