CBFC clears Varun Dhawan's Baby John with U/A certification, requests edits on Phule and Lal Bahadur Shastri references

Varun Dhawan in baby John

The highly awaited Bollywood film Baby John, set to release on December 25, 2024, has been generating significant buzz, thanks to its star-studded ensemble cast, massive appeal, and the direction of acclaimed filmmaker Atlee.

With only a few days remaining until its theatrical debut, Bollywood Hungama delves into the film's journey through the censor board, uncovering the revisions and requests made by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) before it could receive clearance for release.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) granted Baby John a U/A certificate after recommending a few modifications. One of the key changes was the addition of a disclaimer at the beginning of the film, emphasizing that the title Baby John is not associated with any political figures or organizations.

Additionally, a voiceover and on-screen text were included to reassure audiences that the performances of child actors in the film followed established guidelines, with a consent letter from their guardians provided to the CBFC as part of the submission. These adjustments were made to ensure the film's compliance with certification standards.

The CBFC also requested certain dialogue alterations in Baby John. The term “Phule,” referring to the esteemed social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, was muted in the film. Additionally, a reference to India’s second Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, was replaced with another term, though the exact substitute was not revealed. These changes were likely made to align with the board's guidelines and to avoid any potential issues with the content’s public reception.

In addition to the dialogue changes, the CBFC recommended four visual edits for Baby John. A scene showing a character kicking a ‘kalash’ (sacred pot) was modified, while visuals depicting characters being set on fire were toned down by 50%. A shot showing cigarette burns on a character's face was altered, and a close-up of a gunshot was reworked to adhere to certification guidelines. These changes were implemented to ensure the film's suitability for its intended audience while maintaining its dramatic impact.

Additionally, the filmmakers were instructed to submit an AWBI (Animal Welfare Board of India) certificate to ensure that no animals were harmed during production. They were also required to verify the statistical data related to rape mentioned in the film, providing factual sources to back up the figures presented. These measures were taken to ensure the film met all ethical and factual standards before its release.

After incorporating these changes, Baby John was cleared by the CBFC on December 16. The film's final runtime is 164.01 minutes, which is 2 hours, 44 minutes, and 1 second.

Baby John, starring Varun Dhawan, Jackie Shroff, Keerthy Suresh, and Wamiqa Gabbi, is all set to make a grand impact this Christmas. Directed by Kalees, the film boasts an exceptional team of eight international action directors—Anl Arasu, Stunt Silva, Anbariv, Yannick Ben, Sunil Rodrigues, Kaloyan Vodenicharov, Manohar Verma, and Bronwin October—who have choreographed eight major action sequences, ensuring an adrenaline-filled cinematic experience.