Superman kissing scenes cut by India's censor board sparks backlash
India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had cut the kissing scenes, including a cinematic mid-air floating kiss in the film's final moments, branding them 'overly sensual' and unfit for Indian cinemas.
The decision has reignited debate around censorship, hypocrisy, and outdated moral codes in the country.
Critics have slammed the CBFC for routinely allowing films filled with graphic violence, sexual assault, and misogyny - often in movies granted a "U" (universal) rating - while censoring something as tame as a consensual kiss in a PG-13 Hollywood comic book movie.
"CBFC would allow horrific scenes of violence and sexual assault in a U certified film that kids are freely allowed to watch, but won't allow consensual kissing in a U/A comic book movie that kids should watch under adult supervision" wrote one user on X.
Another said: 'The "morality" of censorship aside, the way they've managed to mangle the flow is atrocious. Awful editing job all around by the CBFC.'
The CBFC has increasingly come under fire for what critics describe as politically motivated and inconsistent decisions.
Last year, it blocked The Apprentice - a biopic of Donald Trump - after its director, Ali Abbasi, refused to comply with demanded cuts. 'I ran away from Iranian censorship only to meet corporate censorship of the US. Now India. Really?' Abbasi said. 'Censorship seems to be an epidemic at the moment.'
The board has also made headlines for forcing other bizarre and overly cautious edits, such as digitally replacing a middle-finger emoji with a clenched fist in the Brad Pitt-led F1 movie, and cutting several nude scenes from Christopher Nolan's Oscar-winning Oppenheimer.
Meanwhile, viewers have called out the board's glaring double standards.
While a kiss between Superman and Lois Lane is deemed too provocative, Bollywood films like Animal - which was widely criticised for glorifying misogyny and toxic masculinity - are released with ease.
Similarly, controversial films such as The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story, both accused of promoting Islamophobic narratives and distorting history, were greenlit with little resistance and even received support from political figures.
xxx
In our review of Superman, we said: "By ditching not only the doom and gloom of the Snyderverse but also the tiresome need for an umpteenth backstory, Gunn starts in medias res to better embrace the spirit of the seemingly bygone era of campy comic books. And it works. This fast-paced adventure looks and feels like a comic book transposed onto the big screen, with all the unapologetic strangeness, colourful palette and intentional corniness that befits a 'naive but well-intentioned" boyscout who will take the time to save a squirrel in peril."
Read our full review here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Fashion Network
Prada scandal proves the power of India's troll army
Retailing for as little as $10, India's beloved Kolhapuri sandals are a staple in wardrobes across the sub-continent. So when luxury brand Prada SpA debuted a new type of footwear at Milan Fashion Week that bore a stark resemblance to them, it didn't take long for the fury to build online. See catwalk The saga underscores how much power the South Asian giant's digital tribe holds, where online outrage regularly influences public debate — especially when citizens perceive their heritage is under attack. International firms eyeing one of the world's fastest-growing markets should weigh the risks of these cultural missteps. The Italian fashion house's troubles began when it introduced its menswear collection in June. The sandals, described as 'leather footwear,' displayed an open-toe braided pattern that was strikingly similar to Kolhapuri sandals made in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. (Your columnist has several pairs of Kolhapuris in her wardrobe.) Historically, the sandals were produced for specific communities. For farmers who worked in the fields, they were robust and able to withstand wear-and-tear; for the courtier class and nobles they were more delicate and ostentatious. In 2019, the footwear was awarded the Geographical Indication status, viewed as a mark of authenticity. (Other Indian items to have received this tag include Darjeeling tea and Alphonso mangoes.) But Prada didn't credit India for the designs, prompting a brutal social media backlash. The nationalistic sentiment whipped up by this controversy boosted sales of the traditional sandals. The country's online community is renowned for its digital ferocity — it accused the brand of cultural appropriation, and the furor forced the fashion house into damage control mode. It issued a statement saying it recognized the sandals were inspired by traditional Indian footwear. The luxury brand's experience is a reminder that in India, foreign firms have to be aware of how reputational risk could affect future revenue. Internet penetration is rising, with 55% of the population connected. Social media is growing fast, too: It's estimated the world's most populous nation is home to 462 million social media users. India is a rising global power, one international brands are keen to break into. But local and foreign firms face various challenges: Bureaucracy, shoddy infrastructure and unique consumer behaviors that include a fierce defense of India's rich heritage. All of these factors require a tailored approach. Success in the market lies in the ability to balance local authenticity and global appeal — and the willingness to 'learn to love and speak to India,' as Francois Grouiller, chief executive officer of the luxury consultancy IndLux recently noted. Foreign brands can't afford to ignore India's luxury market, which reached $7.74 billion in 2023, and is projected to approach $12 billion by 2028, a recent Kearney report notes. Other estimates predict the sector could more than triple by 2030, growing to upward of $85 billion. The number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals — people with a net worth of at least $30 million — is expected to grow by 50% by 2028. These forecasts come with the obvious caveats — most notably, there is still a huge wealth gap in the country. While the 100 million wealthiest people are splurging, 400 million of their middle-class counterparts have cut back. Global economic conditions are becoming less supportive, as US President Donald Trump 's sweeping tariffs fuel trade tensions and put pressure on future growth. Still, viewing consumers as a long-term opportunity rather than just a short-term play would help these firms thrive. Even more important is understanding that India is home to a diverse market with distinct needs. Some brands have grasped this already — high-end jeweler Bulgari SpA offers a pricey Mangalsutra necklace inspired by a chain traditionally worn by married women — tapping into the desire for luxury with home-grown sensibilities. The Italian brand is not the first — and neither will it be the last — to fall foul of cultural norms. Earlier this year, Gucci made the mistake of calling Bollywood star Alia Bhatt's custom-made sari-lehenga (a fusion of the traditional sari with a long skirt) a gown. Another online frenzy was set off in May, when a viral social media trend was criticized for calling the dupatta — a traditional South Asian shawl — a Scandinavian scarf. Prada doesn't own any retail stores in India, depending instead on the super-rich diaspora and wealthy Indians who travel overseas. But the firm — which has seen its shares lose about 30% since February as investors took fright at its purchase of Versace — isn't taking any chances. In a conciliatory move, it's now working with traditional artisans to understand the history behind the famed Kolhapuris. The luxury fashion house has learned the hard way that cultural fluency is no longer a 'nice to have'— it's central to business survival.
Euronews
4 days ago
- Euronews
Is the new ‘Superman' film about Gaza?
The newest 'Superman' film has now grossed over $406.8 million (€345.65 million) worldwide and has been a runaway box office hit. The story follows the superhero to the fictional US-backed country of Boravia, which is attempting to occupy neighbouring impoverished Jarhanpur, which is also fictional. Some posts online claim that the imagery in the film is highly reminiscent of images from Gaza. People making these claims reference scenes such as one where a child holds a flag in the face of an invasion, and elements such as a border fence against a landscape that looks like the Palestinian territory. Boravia conducts a high-tech military operation against Jarhanpur, whose inhabitants are portrayed by Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Black actors. Meanwhile, the Boravians are played by white actors. The Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles appeared to respond to the film with two Facebook posts reading 'Real Superheroes' alongside images that seem to be of the Israeli army. Production started before 7 October However, production, costume design, and casting for 'Superman' actually began in April 2023. Meanwhile, storyboarding took place in May, and screen tests took place in June; all before Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023. James Gunn, the American director of 'Superman', has also said in interviews that the script was completed before 7 October. He has insisted that there are no direct references to Israel and Palestine. Gunn did concede that the movie is 'about politics", but that the film is mainly about morality and kindness. However, filming did begin on 29 February 2024, which was after the attacks on 7 October 2023. Despite this uncertainty about the link between the film and what is happening in Gaza, viewers are sharing their thoughts on Reddit on the ways that the film has played a part in changing how they view what is taking place in Gaza.
France 24
4 days ago
- France 24
Verstappen and Wolff laugh off Sardinia holiday stories
Max Verstappen, pictured here at Silverstone, quashed rumours he spent his holidays in Sardinia discussing a potential move to Mercedes The pair were reported to have been seen and photographed together on the Italian island following the British Grand Prix and after the shock sacking of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. But Verstappen told reporters that he was "swimming in the ocean at the time" and Wolff said he was impressed that people were producing "photo collages", and that it was coincidental they were both in Sardinia. "Well, I was swimming in the ocean at the time," said Verstappen of the claims before dismissing them. "I don't really care about those things. "Because I went on holiday with my friends, my family, and when other people also are there at the same time, that can happen. I mean, there are more people on the island than just me and Toto and the family. "If you go to the same island, that can happen." Wolff conceded it was unlikely Verstappen would be joining Mercedes after rumours had abounded in recent weeks about a shock team move. "The direction of travel is definitely that we want to continue with George (Russell) and Kimi (Antonelli). That is the absolute priority," he said. "But you can't look past someone like Max and the plans he has for the future. We did that, but I don't think there will be any big surprises. "What is new is that people are doing photo collages with aeroplanes. We've never had that before! "But if you spend your holidays close to each other, it doesn't mean that you're going to work together in Formula One. We have always got along well and by chance we like to spend our holidays at the same places." © 2025 AFP
