Censor Board vs Superman: Is the CBFC Too Sensitive for Modern Films?
The latest CBFC controversy has reignited the ongoing debate: “Censor Board vs Superman”—is the Indian censor board too strict for today’s global cinema? This question emerged after reports confirmed that the CBFC deleted a 33-second sensual scene from a recent Superman feature film and replaced a middle finger gesture with a clenched fist emoji in F1 Movie.
This isn’t an isolated case. From removing scenes in Oppenheimer to editing adult-rated superhero content, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has shown a trend of trimming anything deemed “inappropriate,”—often prioritizing cultural conservatism over cinematic realism.
Table of Contents
Why Was Superman Censored in India?
The censored content included a mildly suggestive visual and expressive gestures that were standard in global versions of the film. However, in India, the CBFC applied heavy edits citing cultural norms and sensitivity toward young viewers, even though the movie was meant for teen and adult audiences.
These edits have drawn criticism online, especially when compared to the CBFC’s leniency toward Bollywood’s own controversial item songs and adult jokes in U/A certified films.
Negatives of the CBFC’s Approach:
Inconsistent Standards: While international films face harsh censorship, Bollywood movies with adult innuendos and objectification often pass with a U/A certificate, highlighting hypocrisy in the system.
Cultural Gatekeeping: The CBFC often acts as a moral authority, imposing outdated cultural values rather than allowing audiences to decide for themselves.
Creative Suppression: Filmmakers lose artistic freedom when important scenes are cut or altered, weakening the narrative and intent of the story.
Encourages Piracy: Viewers frequently turn to pirated versions to watch uncensored content, damaging both box office revenue and the legal entertainment ecosystem.
Alienates Modern Audiences: Gen Z and millennial viewers often find these restrictions regressive and unnecessary, leading to frustration and loss of trust in Indian film regulation.
Selective Outrage: Scenes involving intimacy or LGBTQ+ themes are often censored more aggressively than violent or misogynistic content—raising questions about bias and inconsistency.
Final Thoughts: Should CBFC Change Its Approach?
In the ongoing Censor Board vs Superman debate, it’s clear that India’s film board needs to reconsider its rigid censorship practices. While protecting certain audiences is necessary, excessive cuts may undermine storytelling and alienate modern, informed moviegoers.
It’s time for the CBFC to move toward a more nuanced, classification-based system—one that trusts audiences to make their own viewing choices rather than censoring globally accepted content altogether.
FAQ
Is there a solution to the CBFC’s censorship problem?
A more nuanced rating and classification system—like in the U.S. or Europe—could reduce unnecessary edits. Letting informed audiences choose their content might be a more balanced and progressive approach. Which won’t happen.
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Amrita Sarkar (pronounced Aam-ri-to), is a content creator, B.Com graduate, CA aspirant, and PGDM student who has discovered a fresh passion for digital writing. With a sharp eye for trends and a deep curiosity for how the internet shapes our lives, Amrito writes insightful pieces on digital media, internet culture, and personal observations. This blog is his creative outlet—where analysis meets storytelling.
