The public screening of the upcoming Hindi film Udta Teer, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan, has been blocked in Nepal. The country’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology officially denied permission for the film's exhibition following a mandatory review process conducted by the Central Film Censor Board.
According to an official notice issued by the ministry's Audio-Visual and Broadcasting Division, the decision was based on findings that the motion picture failed to comply with established national regulations. Specifically, the authorities cited a violation of Section 8(3) of the National Cinema (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) Act of 2026. The formal communication was directed to the National Cinema Group Nepal Pvt. Ltd., an entity based in Aloknagar, Kathmandu, and was signed by branch officer Vishal Bhandari.
While the ministry has confirmed the ban, officials have not yet disclosed the precise content or thematic elements that led to the violation of the specific legislative provision. The censor board conducted its formal assessment of the film on Ashwin 19, 2083, according to the Nepali calendar, eventually concluding that the production did not meet the necessary criteria for public release under current national law.
Udta Teer, which marks the directorial debut of Akash A. Kaushik, features a star-studded cast including Rahul Bose, Ram Kapoor, and Suhail Nayyar alongside the lead actors. The film’s plot centers on the character of Bilal Ahmad, a Pakistani spy who finds himself in India. Following an accident that leads to memory loss, the character mistakenly believes that he is actually an Indian intelligence operative.
Speaking about the challenges of the production during the film's trailer launch in Mumbai this past September, Ayushmann Khurrana described the project as a "spy comedy" and a "patriotic comedy." He noted that the film acts as a genre-bender, requiring him to maintain a straight, serious demeanor despite the chaotic and humorous circumstances surrounding his character. He described the role as one of the most difficult he has undertaken, emphasizing that as an actor, he strictly followed the demands of the script provided by the director.
The film had generated significant anticipation prior to this regulatory hurdle, particularly given the ensemble cast and the unique premise of the script. However, the ministry’s latest directive represents a definitive stance against the movie's planned theatrical run within Nepal. By invoking Section 8(3) of the National Cinema Act, the government has established a clear legal barrier that effectively prevents distributors from proceeding with public screenings.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the production team regarding potential edits to the film or any plans to appeal the decision to the Nepali authorities. The situation remains in a state of suspension, with the formal notice from the ministry effectively halting all local exhibition plans for the time being. The refusal of permission highlights the stringent oversight processes governing the distribution of foreign cinema in the country, ensuring that all releases adhere strictly to local statutory requirements.
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