Akshay Kumar's Upcoming Horror Comedy 'Bhooth Bangla' Receives CBFC Clearance with Significant Modifications
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is preparing for the theatrical release of his highly anticipated film, 'Bhooth Bangla', scheduled to hit cinemas this week. In a crucial development ahead of the premiere, the Central Board of Film Certification has officially cleared the horror comedy for public viewing, but not without imposing several important modifications and cuts.
CBFC Grants U/A 16+ Rating with Specific Conditions
According to exclusive reports from Bollywood Hungama, the Central Board of Film Certification has awarded 'Bhooth Bangla' a U/A 16+ rating, indicating the film is suitable for audiences aged sixteen and above with parental guidance. However, the certification came with a list of mandatory changes that the producers were required to implement before receiving final approval.
The CBFC directed the filmmakers to make multiple alterations to ensure the content meets regulatory standards:
- Removal of an obscenity that had been incorporated into the film
- Replacement of a set of obscene words throughout the screenplay
- Deletion of an obscene word appearing in the film's subtitles toward the conclusion
- Modification of an offensive remark about women featured in the first half of the movie
- Addition of warning notes for scenes containing religious and superstitious references
Extensive Editing Process Reduces Film Runtime by Over 10 Minutes
After implementing all the required changes, the production team received the official censor certificate on April 2. The initial certified length of the film was recorded as 2 hours, 54 minutes, and 57 seconds (174.57 minutes).
In a subsequent development, the makers voluntarily returned to the CBFC several days later with additional self-imposed cuts. The board approved these further edits on April 11, resulting in substantial reductions to the film's duration.
The comprehensive editing process involved:
- 63 individual scenes being trimmed or shortened
- Most cuts ranging from just one second to a few seconds in duration
- The most significant reduction being 1 minute and 12 seconds removed from a scene within the song 'O Sundari'
- An additional 27 seconds excised from the song 'O Re O Sawariya'
These extensive edits have reduced the total runtime by 10 minutes and 5 seconds, bringing the final length to 2 hours, 44 minutes, and 52 seconds (164.52 minutes).
Star-Studded Cast and Release Details
'Bhooth Bangla' is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Priyadarshan and features an impressive ensemble cast including:
- Akshay Kumar in the lead role
- Paresh Rawal
- Tabu
- Wamiqa Gabbi
- Mithila Palkar
- Jisshu Sengupta
- Rajpal Yadav
- Rajesh Sharma
- Asrani
The horror comedy is set for theatrical release on April 17, 2026, marking another major Bollywood offering from the prolific Akshay Kumar. The film's makers completed the certification process well in advance to avoid any last-minute complications that might disrupt the scheduled premiere.
This thorough certification process demonstrates the CBFC's continued vigilance in regulating film content while allowing creative expression within established guidelines. The modifications ensure that 'Bhooth Bangla' meets contemporary standards for appropriate content while maintaining its entertainment value for audiences.
