CBFC cuts Superman kissing scene, faces backlash as Pakistani Influencer joins global criticism

CBFC cuts Superman kissing scene, faces backlash as Pakistani Influencer joins global criticism

James Gunn’s Superman hit Indian theatres on July 11 with much anticipation—but controversy was quick to follow. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) trimmed a 33-second kissing scene between Superman (David Corenswet) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) down to just a few seconds, sparking criticism from Indian audiences and drawing global attention.

Alongside the shortened kiss, the CBFC also muted several cuss words, raising questions about its conservative approach to film certification. Many Indian viewers took to social media, calling the board's decisions outdated and disconnected from modern cinematic sensibilities.

The issue gained international traction when Entertainment Weekly reported the cuts, prompting American netizens to express disbelief that a kiss—commonplace in global cinema—could be deemed “too sensual.” Writer and filmmaker Donovan Trott sarcastically asked, “Didn’t they write the Kama Sutra?” Another user quipped in response, “There was no kissing in the book of Kama Sutra cause it was too sensual,” highlighting the irony.

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Pakistani influencer Alina Shahid joined the chorus of criticism, saying, “Meanwhile their ‘item songs’ get a free pass,” referencing the often provocative dance numbers in Indian cinema that pass through censorship without major objections. Her comment echoed a sentiment shared by many that the CBFC tends to apply its guidelines inconsistently, favouring suggestive dance sequences over emotional or intimate storytelling.

Historical precedents only reinforce the pattern. In 2015, the James Bond film Spectre had its kissing scenes halved by the CBFC. Similarly, The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014) had a French kiss scene removed to secure a "U" certificate for general audiences. Conversely, the CBFC sparked a different kind of outrage when it approved a controversial scene in Oppenheimer involving the reading of the Bhagavad Gita during a sex scene, which was condemned by many as disrespectful.

As global audiences become increasingly critical of such censorship practices, the CBFC finds itself under growing pressure to evolve. The response to the Superman edits illustrates a cultural clash between evolving viewer expectations and traditionalist gatekeeping.