Allu Arjun’s much-anticipated Pushpa 2: The Rule has hit a censorship hurdle in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi censor board has heavily trimmed the film, targeting the widely hyped "Jathara" episode, where Allu Arjun’s character dons the attire of a goddess and pays homage to Hindu deities.
Reports indicate that the censor board objected to these religious references and found them unsuitable for audiences in Saudi Arabia. After negotiations, the filmmakers agreed to a series of edits, resulting in a staggering 19 minutes being cut from the original runtime.
The censored version of Pushpa 2 now stands at 3 hours and 1 minute, leaving Indian movie lovers in Saudi Arabia unable to experience the film in its entirety. The omitted scenes, including the Jathara sequence, have sparked discussions about how these changes might affect the narrative flow and the overall impact of the film.
The censorship follows a trend of Indian films being restricted in Saudi Arabia due to cultural and religious sensitivities. Previously, movies like Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 were banned for their references to Indian gods and LGBTQ themes, respectively.
Despite the cuts, anticipation for Pushpa 2 remains sky-high, with the premiere just moments away. Fans across the Gulf are eager to see if the film can retain its gripping storytelling and iconic moments even in its edited form
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