Too Bold For The Censor Board: 8 Bollywood Films That Were Banned In India
Bandit Queen (1994) – Too Brutal to Show: Directed by Shekhar Kapur, this biopic depicted the harrowing life of Phoolan Devi, a woman forced into banditry after enduring poverty and sexual abuse. The film's graphic content, especially scenes of sexual violence, led to its ban.
Fire (1996) – India's First Openly Lesbian Film: Directed by Deepa Mehta, Fire featured Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das as two women who form a romantic bond after emotional neglect from their husbands. It sparked widespread controversy and faced backlash from conservative groups, resulting in a ban in certain regions.
Urf Professor (2000) – A Black Comedy: Directed by Pankaj Advani, this film was banned for explicit language and obscene scenes. The story follows a man whose life spirals out of control after a contract killer's car and a lottery ticket go missing. It starred Manoj Pahwa, Antara Mali, and Sharman Joshi.
The Pink Mirror – Reflecting on Trans Identities: Also known as Gulabi Aaina, Sridhar Rangayan's film was one of India's earliest attempts to explore transgender and gay identities. The CBFC labelled it "obscene and objectionable", and banned it outright.
Paanch (2003) – Violence, Drugs and Vulgarity: Directed by Anurag Kashyap, and loosely inspired by the real-life Joshi-Abhyankar murders in Pune, Paanch was blocked due to its portrayal of drug use, graphic violence, and profanity. The film featured Kay Kay Menon and Tejaswini Kolhapure among others.
Black Friday (2004) – Real Events And Real Legal Trouble: Also directed by Anurag Kashyap, Black Friday explored the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts, based on journalist Hussain Zaidi's book. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the film was delayed and initially banned, despite critical acclaim.
Unfreedom (2014) – Bold And Controversial Themes: Raj Amit Kumar's Unfreedom tackled both lesbian relationships and Islamic extremism in parallel narratives. It was banned for nudity and its provocative subject matter. The film starred Adil Hussain and Preeti Gupta.
Angry Indian Goddesses (2015) – Feminism Faces the Censor: Directed by Pan Nalin, this film about a group of women celebrating a bachelorette in Goa delves into themes of patriarchy, gender norms, and personal freedom. The CBFC denied it a theatrical release without heavy cuts, though it eventually released on OTT platforms.
While India's film industry continues to evolve, many films that challenge societal norms or depict marginalised identities still face resistance from censors. These banned films are not only a reflection of the filmmakers' courage but also a mirror to the complexities of Indian society.
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