Khel Khel Mein: Scene on Fardeen Khan’s character's sexuality cut in UAE; director says 'While it’s heartbreaking...'

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Khel Khel Mein marks Fardeen Khan’s return to the big screen after a 14-year hiatus. Co-starring Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu and Vaani Kapoor, the film has been receiving appreciation on social media. Amid this, in a new interview, director Mudassar Aziz opened up on a scene featuring Fardeen's character’s sexuality being cut in the UAE, as per local restrictions.

Mudassar Aziz on Fardeen Khan’s scene from Khel Khel Mein getting cut in UAE

During a conversation with Mid-Day, Khel Khel Mein director Mudassar Aziz shared that he was quite upset as a scene on Fardeen Khan’s character’s sexuality was cut in UAE.

He said it was 'heartbreaking to see that something so relevant, and done with so much dignity, found its way out of the UAE release'. The filmmaker further shared that to write all sorts of characters and raise topics of conversation is his professional and moral duty and Khel Khel Mein does that. He said, “While it’s heartbreaking to see that something so relevant, and done with so much dignity, found its way out of the UAE release, I’m thrilled at the applause that the world is sending my way for those very scenes.”

Speaking more about it, Aziz added that through this (Fardeen's) role, he hoped to contribute to a conversation that is necessary and relevant. While stating that edits may have been made, the intention behind the role — that of acceptance — remains unchanged, the filmmaker said he stands by the message’s importance.

Fardeen's role

The plot of Khel Khel Mein revolves around a group of seven friends and how each other's secrets are revealed during a game night. Speaking about his character in the film, Fardeen Khan plays a closeted gay man who finally comes out to his friends.

According to the report, a fan from Dubai said that the “edit changes the narrative of Fardeen’s character” and that it was disheartening to see such an important moment erased.

Meanwhile, produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Vipul D Shah, Ashwin Varde, Rajesh Bahl, Shashikant Sinha and Ajay Rai, Khel Khel Mein is running in theaters near you.