From backlash to a clean sweep
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has been under fire lately. First came the cuts on Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai and Bandar, then the board demanded edits in two key scenes of Obsession, sparking a massive social media storm. But this week, the CBFC has flipped the script entirely. Three major films have been cleared with zero cuts—a move that has left industry insiders pleasantly surprised.
Among them is Kangana Ranaut’s Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, a thriller based on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Despite its intense, violent sequences, the censor board’s Examining Committee (EC) found no reason to ask for any trims. The film received a U/A 16+ rating on May 29, and its runtime is 127.13 minutes—that’s 2 hours, 7 minutes, and 13 seconds.
Then there’s Vikram Bhatt’s return to the horror genre with Haunted – Echoes Of The Past. Like his 2011 hit Haunted, this one is also releasing in 3D. Rated ‘A’, horror films often face heavy scissors for intimate or frightening scenes, but not this time. The Mimoh Chakraborty-starrer, clocking in at 138.54 minutes (2 hours, 18 minutes, 54 seconds), was passed without a single visual or audio cut on June 9.
Rounding out the trio is the sci-fi psychological horror Backrooms, which earned an ‘A’ rating on June 8 with zero edits. Its runtime is 110.54 minutes (1 hour, 50 minutes, 54 seconds). Interestingly, Backrooms has generated buzz similar to Obsession, which became a sleeper blockbuster despite censorship drama. However, sources suggest viewers should watch closely—there’s a chance the studio may have voluntarily blurred or removed some disturbing shots before submitting the film to the CBFC.
Why this matters for Bollywood
The CBFC’s recent no-cuts decision is a rare win for filmmakers who have been battling creative constraints. After the backlash over Obsession, where two crucial scenes were ordered to be trimmed, many in the industry feared a stricter regime. But this week’s approvals signal a possible shift in the board’s approach—or at least a temporary respite.
For Kangana Ranaut, Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata is a politically charged project that could have easily drawn controversy. The fact that it sailed through without any cuts speaks volumes about the board’s current mood. Similarly, Vikram Bhatt’s horror sequel, which relies on 3D scares, might have been expected to face cuts for its more intense moments. Yet, the CBFC let it pass untouched.
As for Backrooms, its zero-cuts clearance adds to the curiosity around the film. The psychological horror genre often pushes boundaries, and viewers are eager to see if the uncut version delivers the chills promised by its premise.
What’s next for the CBFC?
While this week’s news is a relief, it doesn’t erase the controversies of the past fortnight. The cuts on Obsession sparked a massive uproar on social media, with fans and filmmakers questioning the board’s consistency. The CBFC’s silence on those decisions has only fueled the debate.
Industry insiders say the board’s unpredictable nature keeps everyone on edge. One week, a film like Bandar faces heavy edits; the next, three diverse projects get a clean chit. It’s a pattern that leaves producers guessing, but for now, the mood is celebratory.
All three films are set to hit screens soon, and cinephiles are already marking their calendars. Whether the no-cuts trend continues remains to be seen, but for this week at least, the CBFC has earned some rare applause from Bollywood.