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Shiv Sena pressure forces PVR to cancel India-Pakistan final screening in Maharashtra

Kaushik Kashyap

PVR cancelled Asia Cup final screenings in Maharashtra. [Source - BCCI/x.com]PVR cancelled Asia Cup final screenings in Maharashtra. [Source - BCCI/x.com]

The cricketing world braces itself for another high-voltage encounter as India and Pakistan meet in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday, September 28, in Dubai. This is the first time these two teams are up against each other in the final of this tournament, adding yet another chapter to one of the most storied rivalries in sport.

PVR Cinemas’ plan to Stream Asia Cup Final collapsed in Maharashtra

In the build up to the enthralling contest, PVR Cinemas, in collaboration with ITW Universe and the Asian Cricket Council, had announced plans to stream the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final live across 100+ theatres nationwide, aiming to deliver a stadium-like experience for fans.

However in a recent development, PVR Cinemas has cancelled all live screenings of the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final across the state of Maharashtra. According to Shiv Sena UBT in X, the decision came after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Akhil Chitre appealed to the management, arguing that showing the match would mock the sentiments of the Indians, especially in light of recent developments.

Responding swiftly, PVR INOX confirmed the cancellation of all India-Pakistan screenings in the state. Chitre emphasized that this intervention showcased Shiv Sena-UBT’s influence not just within Mumbai or Maharashtra but across the nation.

Another Fallout of India-Pakistan Tensions

India and Pakistan have already locked horns twice this month. On September 14, India cruised to victory by seven wickets, and a week later, on September 21, they repeated the dominance with a six-wicket win. The final now carries heightened political, emotional, and sporting weight.

Meanwhile, there has been certain chaos surrounding this fixture, calling for a boycott, following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The hostile atmosphere has led to incidents such as Team India refusing to shake hands or pose for pictures with Pakistan players. The cancellation of live screenings in Maharashtra marks yet another result of this tense build-up.