The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has recently come under fire for its decisions regarding film cuts. There was notable criticism surrounding cuts made to films like Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai and Bandar. Furthermore, the CBFC faced backlash over its request for cuts in key scenes from Obsession, which sparked significant social media outrage.
However, in a surprising turn of events this week, the CBFC has approved three major films without any cuts.
One of these is Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, starring Kangana Ranaut, which focuses on the 26/11 terror attacks. This film received a U/A 16+ rating on May 29 and, despite its thrilling premise and some violent content, the Examining Committee found no reason for cuts. The film has a runtime of 127.13 minutes, equating to over two hours.
Vikram Bhatt’s horror film Haunted – Echoes Of The Past also got the green light. Like his previous film Haunted from 2011, this new project will be shown in 3D and has been rated ‘A’. Typically, such films are subject to more scrutiny due to their intense scenes. Nevertheless, Haunted – Echoes Of The Past received an uncensored release, running for 138.54 minutes, or approximately 2 hours and 19 minutes.
The third film, Backrooms, was approved with an ‘A’ rating and no cuts on June 8. The science fiction psychological horror movie has a length of 110.54 minutes, or nearly 1 hour and 51 minutes. There’s a bit of curiosity surrounding Backrooms, especially since it has gained popularity, much like Obsession. Some viewers, however, may be cautious as there’s a possibility that some disturbing scenes were altered or removed prior to the film’s submission to the CBFC.
In summary, the CBFC’s recent decisions have sparked discussions, both positive and negative, about the future of film censorship in India.
