Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan’s Udta Teer Denied Screening Permission in Nepal Ahead of Release

Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan’s upcoming film Udta Teer has run into a release hurdle in Nepal, where authorities have denied permission for public screenings just days before its scheduled theatrical debut. The decision concerns the film’s exhibition in Nepal; it does not, by itself, indicate a change to the film’s planned release in India.

According to Bollywood Hungama, the Nepal government’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology communicated the decision to the film’s local distribution company through an official letter dated October 16, 2026. Nepalese publication OnlineKhabar independently reported that the film had not received permission for public screening.

Why has Nepal denied permission for Udta Teer?

The reported objection relates to the film’s subject matter, which centres on tensions between India and Pakistan.

In Udta Teer, Ayushmann plays Bilal Ahmed, a Pakistani spy who enters India on a mission. Following an accident, he loses his memory and begins believing that he is an Indian counterterrorism officer. The premise combines espionage, patriotic themes and comedy.

OnlineKhabar, citing film writer and critic Samipyaraj Timilsina, reported that the decision was connected to provisions in Nepalese film law concerning material that could affect national security, public order, relations with friendly countries or social harmony. The publication also reported that the law allows the possibility of approval after cuts or modifications where those changes address the relevant concerns.

The exact legal reference requires care: Bollywood Hungama identifies Section 5(3) of the Film (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) Act, 2026 B.S., while OnlineKhabar cites Section 8(3) of the Film (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) Act, 1963. The discrepancy has not been independently resolved here, so neither provision should be presented as definitively established without checking the original government order and applicable legislation.

What does this mean for the film’s release?

The immediate consequence is that Udta Teer cannot be publicly screened in Nepal under the reported decision unless the necessary permission is subsequently granted.

The film is scheduled to arrive in Indian cinemas on October 23, 2026, following an earlier postponement from October 9. The change to the Indian release date was reported earlier by Moneycontrol and Hindustan Times. The Nepal decision is a separate exhibition issue, and no revised Indian release date has been announced in the sources reviewed for this report. <Cite refs={["turn319886view3","turn143475search10","turn143475search6"]} />

It is also important to distinguish a denial of screening permission in one country from a worldwide ban. The available reporting establishes a Nepal-specific restriction; it does not establish that the film has been withdrawn from other territories.

Who is behind Udta Teer?

Written and directed by Akash A Kaushik, Udta Teer is produced by Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment. Its credited producers include Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain. The film also features the late Mukul Dev. <Cite refs={["turn319886view0","turn319886view2"]} />

The film brings together spy-thriller elements and comedy, with its memory-loss premise driving the central misunderstanding. The story’s India-Pakistan setting is now also central to the reported Nepal clearance issue.

The Celebrity Hour Take

The Nepal decision highlights how a film’s release strategy can differ across international markets. A production may be cleared for theatrical exhibition in one territory while facing a separate regulatory assessment elsewhere.

For Udta Teer, the issue is particularly tied to the story’s geopolitical setting. The film uses an India-Pakistan spy premise for a comedy-driven narrative, but authorities in Nepal have reportedly assessed its subject matter under rules governing public exhibition. That does not establish that the film’s creators intended to cause diplomatic or social harm; it reflects the reported basis for the screening decision.

The next development to watch is whether the distributor or filmmakers seek reconsideration, propose edits or issue a public response. No such outcome should be assumed until it is confirmed. For now, the verified distinction is straightforward: permission for public screening in Nepal has reportedly been denied, while the scheduled Indian theatrical release remains October 23.

Sources & Verification

This report uses Bollywood Hungama’s exclusive coverage, corroborating reporting from Nepal’s OnlineKhabar, and earlier release-date coverage from Moneycontrol and Hindustan Times. The Nepal screening denial is supported by multiple reports. The exact statutory section differs between publications and requires verification against the original government order