When a film is rated ‘A’—strictly for adults—you’d think the censor board would let it be. But that’s not how it works, as Obsession just proved.
The supernatural psychological thriller from Hollywood hit Indian screens on May 28 and quickly became the talk of the town. With chilling subject matter and award-winning performances, it wasn’t expected to do much business—maybe Rs. 4-5 crores lifetime. Instead, it’s already crossed Rs. 8 crores in its opening weekend and is trending like crazy. But here’s the kicker: that number could’ve been even higher if the CBFC hadn’t gone scissor-happy on two crucial scenes.
The Scenes That Got the Chop
According to industry sources, the CBFC trimmed a 24-second scene of extreme violence in the second half and completely deleted a 14-second graphic sexual activity scene. Both moments, insiders say, were essential to the narrative—not gratuitous additions meant to shock or titillate.
Without those cuts, the film’s impact has taken a hit. And social media is absolutely fuming. Twitter and Instagram are flooded with angry posts and videos calling out the censor board’s decision. The biggest grouse? Obsession is an ‘A’-rated film. If adults can’t watch an adult film without cuts, what’s the point of the rating system at all?
Especially when we’re living in an era where films like Animal (2023) and Dhurandhar (2025) showed graphic violence without much fuss. Streaming shows have pushed boundaries even further. Bloodshed and brutality, within context, don’t shock viewers the way they used to. So why cut a violent scene that’s key to the story?
As for the lovemaking scene, it wasn’t just there for titillation—it plays a vital role in the character arc. But the CBFC, it seems, overlooked that relevance entirely.
When the Censor Board Gets It Right (Sometimes)
To be fair, the CBFC has shown progressive thinking in the past. In Rang Rasiya (2014) and All We Imagine As Light (2024), frontal nudity was allowed because it was integral to the narrative, not included for sensational value. But those are exceptions. What happened with Obsession is the norm.
The irony is brutal. While the CBFC cuts scenes meant for adults, the very people it’s trying to ‘protect’ are finding workarounds. Over the weekend, rumours spread that Obsession would hit OTT on June 2 in an uncut version. Netizens started advising each other to skip the theatrical experience entirely and wait for the digital release. Bollywood Hungama debunked that rumour—the OTT version in India will be the same censored one shown in cinemas. But that didn’t stop people.
Shockingly, when fans learned there’s no uncut version coming legally, many openly declared they’d simply download a pirated copy. Telegram channels and torrent sites are already buzzing with promises of an uncensored version. It’s illegal, yes. But for audiences frustrated by the cuts, it’s become the only option to see the film as intended.
Box Office Success Despite the Cuts—But for How Long?
Thankfully, Obsession has defied expectations. The FOMO factor is real—so much curiosity surrounded the film that audiences couldn’t resist watching it on the big screen despite the controversy. But not every film will be so lucky.
The CBFC needs to understand that by insisting on reckless cuts, it’s not just ruining the moviegoing experience—it’s damaging the entire film ecosystem. When audiences skip theatres for pirated versions, the government loses GST revenue from ticket sales. The economy takes a hit. And tomorrow, another acclaimed film might get royally ignored in cinemas and instead be lapped up on pirated platforms.
One hopes the censor board takes note of the outrage and corrects its approach. Because if adults can’t watch adult films in theatres without cuts, they’ll find other ways—and that’s bad for everyone.