Latest news with #ShreyaDhanwanthary
Geek Tyrant
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
SUPERMAN's Kiss Censored in India, Fans Slam 'Ridiculous' Move — GeekTyrant
James Gunn's Superman has run into unexpected turbulence in India, not for its explosive action, but for a kiss. India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) ordered cuts to two kissing scenes in the film, including the 33-second mid-air kiss between Superman and Lois Lane, citing them as 'overly sensual,' according to local reports. The edits were made to secure a UA (13+) rating ahead of its July 7 certification. As you might imagine, the decision has ignited backlash from fans and industry voices who see it as yet another example of India's inconsistent censorship practices. Actor Shreya Dhanwanthary ( Scam 1992, The Family Man ) didn't mince words, posting: 'If this is true, this is RIDICULOUS!!! Some ridiculous crap happens every day. Every. Damn. Day. Sure this is the least of our worries but is something done about anything else? There is some crap every day. Every. Damn. Day.' Film critic and digital creator Amol Jamwal echoed the frustration on X: 'You can have lewd double meaning jokes in Housefull 5. Beheadings & gory violence in Jaat But…. Superman kissing Lois Lane is where we draw the line.' Another user summed up the hypocrisy: '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.' This isn't an isolated case. Earlier this year, F1 had a middle-finger emoji swapped for a fist, and Thunderbolts* landed in India with muted expletives. These moves have reignited a long-running debate about censorship, morality, and the CBFC's sweeping powers under the Cinematograph Act. While the board's guidelines emphasize freedom of speech and expression, those rights are curtailed by 'reasonable restrictions' on grounds such as 'decency or morality.' The challenge for filmmakers is that these terms remain broad—and subjective. Adding to the frustration is the 2021 dissolution of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal, which once provided an industry-level appeals process. Today, studios have only one option: pursue costly, time-consuming legal battles in India's high courts, a daunting prospect for international releases on strict global timelines. The Superman controversy now joins a growing list of creative clashes with censorship, sparking the question… where do we draw the line between cultural sensitivity and stifling creative freedom? Source: Variety
Economic Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
CBFC's Kryptonite: Superman may save the world, but smooching is off limits in India
James Gunn's new Superman film has landed in controversy in India after the censor board removed two kissing scenes to secure a UA rating. The cuts, including a 33-second mid-air kiss, triggered backlash from actors, fans and filmmakers who accuse the board of hypocrisy for allowing violence and misogyny while censoring consensual romance. The row highlights India's ongoing struggle with film censorship, moral policing and the lack of an independent appeal process for filmmakers. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Old tension, new flashpoint Why it stings A lost right to appeal James Gunn's Superman was set to soar high in Indian cinemas this month. Instead, audiences were left puzzled when the superhero's tender moments vanished mid-scene. India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cut two kissing scenes, including a much-talked-about 33-second mid-air embrace, calling them 'overly sensual'. These edits were made so the film could get a UA (13+) rating before its 7 July felt the cuts were unnecessary and reeked of double standards. Actor Shreya Dhanwanthary posted, 'If this is true, this is RIDICULOUS!!! Some ridiculous crap happens every day. Every. Damn. Day. Sure this is the least of our worries but is something done about anything else? There is some crap every day. Every. Damn. Day.'Digital creator Amol Jamwal joined in, writing on X, 'You can have lewd double meaning jokes in Housefull 5. Beheadings & gory violence in Jaat But…. Superman kissing Lois Lane is where we draw the line.'Another user summed up the contradiction: '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.'This isn't the first film to get snipped for 'morality'. Earlier this year, the Brad Pitt-led F1 movie saw a middle-finger emoji replaced with a harmless fist. Thunderbolts lost its swear words. Last year, the CBFC blocked The Apprentice, a Donald Trump biopic, after director Ali Abbasi refused to comply with cuts. Abbasi said, 'I ran away from Iranian censorship only to meet corporate censorship of the US. Now India. Really? Censorship seems to be an epidemic at the moment.'Santosh, an award-winning film on police violence and misogyny, faced the same fate when its director Sandhya Suri called the cut requests 'disappointing and heartbreaking'.The anger is not just about Superman. Many see this as part of a bigger problem. While Hollywood kisses get the chop, Indian films with explicit violence, stalking and misogyny glide through with minimal fuss. Some Bollywood blockbusters like Animal, often slammed for glorifying toxic masculinity, have no trouble with censors. Controversial releases like The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story, accused of distorting facts and stoking communal tensions, sailed through with political of this boils down to power with no oversight. The CBFC's guidelines promise freedom of expression but tag it with 'reasonable restrictions' for 'decency or morality'. The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal, which once gave filmmakers an industry-level appeal, was scrapped in 2021. What remains is a tedious and expensive court battle, out of reach for many local and foreign studios trying to hit global release cinema's awkward dance with on-screen kissing goes back decades. Until the 90s, kisses were mostly replaced by symbolic shots — flowers brushing, birds flying. The 1933 film Karma broke the mould with a four-minute kiss but little changed for years. Attitudes have softened in urban pockets but plenty of India still clings to older, conservative views, keeping the censor's scissors Superman's hopeful tone lives on, this debate is not going away. For now, fans in India will have to imagine what a 33-second mid-air kiss between Superman and Lois Lane might have looked like. Variety has reached out to the CBFC and Warner Bros. Discovery for comment but silence question left hanging is simple: where does India draw the line between free expression and forced restraint? Many in the industry want an answer.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Superman' Kiss Censored in India, Drawing Fire From Fans and Film Community
James Gunn's 'Superman' has hit a snag in India – not for action, but for its romance. India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) removed two kiss scenes – most notably a 33-second mid-air kiss – deeming them 'overly sensual,' per local reports, to achieve a UA (13+) rating before the film's July 7 certification. The cuts have fueled a backlash over inconsistent and conservative censorship practices. More from Variety 'Superman' Takes Top Spot at Sluggish U.K., Ireland Box Office 'Superman' Star Edi Gathegi on Working Out With the Man of Steel and Why Mister Terrific's Credits Scene Feels Like a 'Promise' for His DC Future 'Superman' Box Office Muscle, David Zaslav's Early Victory Lap, Last-Minute Emmy Predictions and Waiting for Rihanna Online reactions captured the mood. Actor Shreya Dhanwanthary (SonyLIV's 'Scam 1992,' Prime Video's 'The Family Man') posted, reacting to reports of the censorship: 'If this is true, this is RIDICULOUS!!! Some ridiculous crap happens every day. Every. Damn. Day. Sure this is the least of our worries but is something done about anything else? There is some crap every day. Every. Damn. Day.' Digital creator Amol Jamwal wrote on X: 'You can have lewd double meaning jokes in Housefull 5. Beheadings & gory violence in Jaat But…. Superman kissing Lois Lane is where we draw the line' Another user on X posted: '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.' This isn't the first such case this year. 'F1' had a middle-finger emoji replaced with a fist, and 'Thunderbolts' was released in India with muted expletives. The recurring pattern has reignited debate over freedom of expression and the CBFC's broad powers under the Cinematograph Act. The CBFC's certification guidelines enshrine freedom of speech and expression but these rights are subject to 'reasonable restrictions' on various grounds, including 'decency or morality.' The 2021 dissolution of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal has further complicated matters, leaving filmmakers with no industry recourse short of legal appeals through India's high courts — a time-consuming and expensive process, particularly for international studios with global rollouts. Variety has reached out to CBFC and Warner Bros. Discovery for comment. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Superman' Kiss Censored in India, Drawing Fire From Fans and Film Community
James Gunn's 'Superman' has hit a snag in India – not for action, but for its romance. India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) removed two kiss scenes – most notably a 33-second mid-air kiss – deeming them 'overly sensual,' per local reports, to achieve a UA (13+) rating before the film's July 7 certification. The cuts have fueled a backlash over inconsistent and conservative censorship practices. More from Variety 'Superman' Takes Top Spot at Sluggish U.K., Ireland Box Office 'Superman' Star Edi Gathegi on Working Out With the Man of Steel and Why Mister Terrific's Credits Scene Feels Like a 'Promise' for His DC Future 'Superman' Box Office Muscle, David Zaslav's Early Victory Lap, Last-Minute Emmy Predictions and Waiting for Rihanna Online reactions captured the mood. Actor Shreya Dhanwanthary (SonyLIV's 'Scam 1992,' Prime Video's 'The Family Man') posted, reacting to reports of the censorship: 'If this is true, this is RIDICULOUS!!! Some ridiculous crap happens every day. Every. Damn. Day. Sure this is the least of our worries but is something done about anything else? There is some crap every day. Every. Damn. Day.' Digital creator Amol Jamwal wrote on X: 'You can have lewd double meaning jokes in Housefull 5. Beheadings & gory violence in Jaat But…. Superman kissing Lois Lane is where we draw the line' Another user on X posted: '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.' This isn't the first such case this year. 'F1' had a middle-finger emoji replaced with a fist, and 'Thunderbolts' was released in India with muted expletives. The recurring pattern has reignited debate over freedom of expression and the CBFC's broad powers under the Cinematograph Act. The CBFC's certification guidelines enshrine freedom of speech and expression but these rights are subject to 'reasonable restrictions' on various grounds, including 'decency or morality.' The 2021 dissolution of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal has further complicated matters, leaving filmmakers with no industry recourse short of legal appeals through India's high courts — a time-consuming and expensive process, particularly for international studios with global rollouts. Variety has reached out to CBFC and Warner Bros. Discovery for comment. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
She said it
Shreya Dhanwanthary CBFC Central Board of Film Certification slamsfor deleting 33-second kissing scene in 'Superman': calls it 'Absolute Nonsense' Shreya Dhanwanthary criticized thefor cutting a brief kissing scene from the Hollywood movie 'Superman'. She called the censorship unreasonable, complaining that such actions spoil the cinema experience and insisting that viewers should have the freedom to choose what they want to the evening of July 11, Shreya took to Instagram stories to highlight a news headline stating, 'CBFC deletes 33-second-long 'sensual visual' in Superman, 'CBFC deletes 33-second-long 'sensual visual' in Superman.' Lashing out, the actress said, 'They want us to go to the theatres. They want us to stop pirating stuff. I don't understand. Why make the theatre going experience so horrible then? LET US DECIDE WHAT WE WANT TO WATCH!!!! Let us decide what we want to do with our time and money!'.She further wrote, '...Then they blame the audience and say that we don't go to the cinemas anymore and then wonder why people watch mediocre crap on OTT's and TV. It is because you are making the other options intolerable!!! A cinema hall is THE best way to experience a film. You are killing this and us by treating us like children.'
