Nepal refuses screening of Sara Ali Khan, Ayushmann's Udta Teer
Representative image: ADMC / Pixabay
Nepal denied screening permission to Udta Teer, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan, citing its cinema law, ahead of the film's October 23, 2026 release.
What Happened
Nepal's film authorities have refused permission to screen Udta Teer, the Hindi spy comedy starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan, days before its theatrical release on October 23, 2026. A letter dated October 16 and sent to the film's distributor in Nepal, National Cine Group, said the film violated the country's cinema law, according to reports published on October 19 and 20. The letter did not name any scene. Reports in Nepal and India point to the film's India-Pakistan spy theme as the likely reason.
Key Facts
- The film: Udta Teer, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan, written and directed by Akash A. Kaushik and backed by Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment.
- India release: October 23, 2026 in cinemas.
- Nepal decision: screening permission denied in a letter dated October 16, 2026 to distributor National Cine Group.
- Legal basis cited: Section 8(3) of Nepal's cinema law, which bars approval of films that could threaten national security, disturb law and order, harm relations with friendly countries or cause disharmony among communities; reports differ on the exact name of the Act.
- No scenes named: the letter did not say which content broke the rules.
- The story: according to reports, the plot follows a Pakistani agent who loses his memory and comes to believe he is an Indian counter-terrorism officer.
Why It Matters
Hindi films are regularly released in Nepal, which shares an open border and close cultural ties with India, and this film already had a distributor lined up there. Losing that market costs producers ticket sales, but the bigger point is what the decision says about how neighbouring countries view films with political themes.
The provision cited is broad. A film can be refused if authorities think it may affect relations with friendly countries or disturb harmony, and Nepal maintains diplomatic relations with both India and Pakistan. A comedy built around a Pakistani spy who thinks he is an Indian officer touches exactly the kind of cross-border tension that the law covers, even if it is played for laughs. That is why reports in Nepal see the theme, not any single scene, as the trigger.
The decision shows that a film's journey does not end with India's censor certificate. Each country applies its own rules, and producers of films with political or religious themes now often plan for that risk.
Not everyone in Nepal agrees with the decision. Film critic Samipyaraj Timilsina questioned whether banning such films is the right response, noting that stories like this will continue to be made, according to reports.
For audiences in India, nothing changes: the film opens as planned on October 23. For the producers, the Nepal decision may draw extra attention to the film in its release week.
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Film | Udta Teer (Hindi spy comedy) |
| Lead actors | Ayushmann Khurrana, Sara Ali Khan |
| India release | October 23, 2026 |
| Nepal status | Screening permission denied (letter of October 16) |
| Reason given | Violation of cinema law; no scenes named |
Impact
Short-term: Udta Teer will not open in Nepali cinemas with its India release unless the decision is reversed. Nepali viewers will not be able to watch it in theatres there.
Long-term: The case may make producers of Hindi films with India-Pakistan themes more cautious about distribution in neighbouring markets, and may fuel debate in Nepal about how broadly its cinema law should be applied.
Who is affected: The film's producers and its Nepal distributor, cinemas in Nepal that screen Hindi films, Nepali audiences, and other filmmakers working on similar themes.
Key Takeaway
Nepal refused screening permission for Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan's Udta Teer citing its cinema law, days before the film's October 23, 2026 release in India, without naming any objectionable scene.
Questions and Answers
Why did Nepal ban Sara Ali Khan's film Udta Teer?
Nepal's authorities said the film violated Section 8(3) of the country's cinema law, which covers films that may threaten security, disturb peace or harm relations with friendly countries. They did not name any scene; reports suggest the India-Pakistan spy theme was the reason.
When does Udta Teer release in India?
Udta Teer releases in Indian cinemas on October 23, 2026.
Who stars in and made Udta Teer?
The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan. It is written and directed by Akash A. Kaushik and backed by Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment.
Is Udta Teer banned in India?
No. The refusal applies only to screenings in Nepal. The film's Indian release on October 23 is unaffected.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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