The Diplomat, featuring John Abraham, is now set to hit theaters on March 14, as announced by T-Series. It was originally slated for March 7. There was some buzz about the film going up against Dhadak 2 during the Festival of Colours. With Holi just three weeks away, the marketing for this suspenseful drama, which includes Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri, should have kicked off by now. Bollywood Hungama reported that the film is currently under review by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Possible conflict with Dhadak 2

A source shared with the entertainment site that Dhadak 2 tackles caste issues and is expected to be quite a surprising story. The CBFC's Examining Committee was really impressed with the filmmakers. However, due to the sensitive topics it covers, they're thinking about the film's rating and whether any edits might be necessary.

Dhadak 2's producers are aiming to wrap up the censor process before kicking off promotions, as per a trade expert. They’re probably trying to avoid any delays that could come from announcing a release date too soon. If they get the green light from the CBFC, the film could still hit theaters on March 14. But if that doesn’t happen, it might get postponed. We should have a clearer picture in the next 5 to 10 days.

A look at how it stacks up against Pariyerum Perumal

The industry was pretty shocked by this situation, especially since the original 2018 film Pariyerum Perumal faced no censorship issues. An insider mentioned that the producers of Dhadak 2 likely used the same script. They were also curious about why Dhadak 2 is facing scrutiny when Pariyerum Perumal sailed through without any problems.

Former CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani commented last month on this issue, saying that in the South, films usually get the green light. Movies that show a lot of violence often receive a U/A rating. The CBFC members from Mumbai have a different vibe compared to their Southern counterparts. Many in Mumbai have political ties, while in the South, there's more support for certain actors. Their approach has always been more liberal.

Is there going to be a showdown between Dhadak 2 and The Diplomat?

The end of the Dhadak 2 CBFC issues is still up in the air, and it’s a mystery whether Siddhant Chaturvedi and John Abraham will face off this Holi.

Read Also: Holland OTT Release Update: Streaming Platform & Date for the Thriller Unveiled