Superman: CBFC removes kissing scenes from James Gunn’s film for Indian release

While fans across the globe are experiencing the same version of this cinematic reboot, Indian audiences are watching a slightly altered cut of the film.

James Gunn’s much-anticipated Superman, starring David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel, officially released worldwide today, July 11.

Marking a fresh chapter in the DC Universe under Gunn’s creative direction, the film features a star-studded cast including Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced.

While fans across the globe are experiencing the same version of this cinematic reboot, Indian audiences are watching a slightly altered cut of the film.

According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, CBFC members specifically requested the removal of what they termed a “sensual visual” from the movie.

The 33-second scene, which was originally meant to be a key emotional beat, now feels abrupt and disjointed in the Indian version, as per early viewers who attended a special screening on July 9.

In India, the version released has undergone several modifications at the hands of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Most notably, a 33-second kiss between Superman (David Corenswet) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) has been significantly trimmed down to just a few seconds.

In addition to this, the CBFC muted multiple instances of strong language throughout the film and removed two kiss scenes shared by the leads.

One of the removed kiss scenes appears early in the film, during the characters’ initial interaction.

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However, the more surprising omission is a sequence that was prominently featured in the trailer—a romantic shot of Superman and Lois kissing while levitating mid-air. In the Indian release, this particular moment has been almost entirely edited out.

Despite these edits, the film retains its larger narrative structure and is still expected to be a significant launchpad for James Gunn’s newly envisioned DC Universe. However, the censorship has sparked discussions among Indian fans about creative integrity and differing cultural standards in global cinema.