The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has landed in hot water after censoring a 33-second romantic scene from Superman (2025), directed by James Gunn. The removed sequence featured a “floating kiss” between Superman (David Corenswet) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), which the board deemed “overly sensual” for a U/A (13+) certificate.
In This Article:
- What Was Censored?
- Public Outrage and Double Standards
- Not an Isolated Incident
- What’s Next?
The edited version of the film, released in Indian theatres on July 11, 2025, has since drawn massive criticism on social media for what many describe as “moral policing” and double standards, particularly when compared to Bollywood films that regularly showcase provocative content.
What Was Censored?
- A 33-second romantic kiss between Superman and Lois was cut.
- An eight-second middle finger gesture was replaced with a two-second neutral shot in F1 starring Brad Pitt.
- Multiple curse words, including “a**”, “bch”, and “prk”, were muted in Thunderbolts and other Hollywood releases.
The CBFC has yet to release an official statement defending the cuts. However, the board reportedly justified the censorship by citing sensuality not suitable for young viewers under 13 without parental guidance.
Public Outrage and Double Standards
Fans and film critics took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to voice their displeasure:
- “CBFC cuts a 33-second kiss in Superman, but item numbers with half-naked dancers get a free pass? What’s the logic?”
- “Middle finger replaced with a fist emoji in F1? That’s not even censorship—it’s altering meaning!”
This is not the first time Hollywood films have been subjected to such scrutiny. Critics argue that CBFC tends to be far stricter with international films than with Indian productions, where sexually suggestive songs and objectifying dance numbers are often passed without cuts.
Not an Isolated Incident
The recent censorship continues a long history of edits made to Hollywood films in India:
- Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) was denied certification entirely.
- Deadpool (2016) underwent major audio mutes and scene cuts.
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) had nearly seven minutes removed.
In each case, viewers have argued that the CBFC underestimates the maturity of Indian audiences while being inconsistent in enforcing its own guidelines.
What’s Next?
As Superman and F1 continue their theatrical run in India, the CBFC finds itself at the center of a renewed debate: should cultural values take precedence over global cinematic expression? Or is India’s censorship board out of touch with evolving audience sensibilities?
For now, filmgoers and fans await clarity—if not from CBFC, then at least from the uncut versions on international streaming platforms.
By – Nikita