Netflix Drops ‘Hotel Mumbai’ From Its India Offering, Rumours On Reasons For Move Abound Thick And Fast

Hotel Mumbai, a fictionalised account of the 26/11 terrorist attacks on Mumbai, specifically the siege of Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotels, which was among the eight new original films for the India market in Netflix’s content showcase “See What's Next: Asia” summit in Singapore in November last year has been dropped from its menu, reports The Hindu.

The American-Australian production, directed by Anthony Maras has Dev Patel, Anupam Kher, Armie Hammer and Nazanin Boniadi playing the key roles.

The report suggested rumours that the move was on the backdrop of the current state of the Indo-Pakistan relations. However, The Hindu quoted industry sources as saying that it has nothing to do with the diplomatic situation and was due to litigation that Netflix was involved in.

Plus Holdings, a Dubai-based firm, has reportedly moved the Bombay High Court to restore its rights and stop Netflix from screening the film. Plus Holdings claimed that it had been granted broadcasting rights for the movie in SAARC nations. The company states that it bought the film’s Indian rights from Xeitgeist Entertainment, based in Singapore and Australia.

Plus Holdings further alleges that their deals were cancelled illegally and the rights given to Netflix, Xeitgeist, Arclight Films International, 5th Dimension, Hotel Mumbai Private Limited, and Electric Pictures.

The film releases in Australia on 15 March and in the US on 29 March.

The movie was also removed from the theatres of New Zealand, following the terrible shooting that took place at two city mosques in Christchurch.