Anurag Kashyap's 'Kennedy' Finally Hits Screens After Extended Delay
The long-awaited thriller 'Kennedy' directed by Anurag Kashyap is set for release tomorrow, Friday, February 20, following a significant postponement. The film initially captivated audiences with its world premiere at the prestigious 2023 Cannes Film Festival, followed by another acclaimed screening at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival later that same year.
CBFC Implements Multiple Modifications Before Certification
According to reports from Bollywood Hungama, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) granted 'Kennedy' an 'A' certificate but mandated several specific alterations. The Examining Committee required the profane term 'motherf*****' to be muted in both dialogue and subtitles throughout the film. Additionally, the mention of former US President 'Donald Trump' was changed to 'Pump Trump' in the final cut.
More significantly, visual references to fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and the dialogue line 'Dawood Ibrahim ne...1993 mein' were completely removed and replaced with the generic term 'Pakistan Don'. These changes reflect the CBFC's sensitivity toward political and criminal references in cinematic content.
Scene Deletions and Additional Edits Required
The censorship board ordered the removal of a 14-second scene in the film's first half containing the objectionable dialogue "Matunga, Matunga... Pungi bajaao." Furthermore, the CBFC mandated that every scene depicting smoking must display the standard anti-smoking static message, a common requirement for Indian films showing tobacco use.
After implementing all suggested modifications, 'Kennedy' officially received its censor certificate on November 23, 2023. The certified runtime stands at 148.54 minutes, equivalent to 2 hours, 28 minutes, and 54 seconds of screen time.
Film's Plot and International Recognition
Starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone in lead roles, 'Kennedy' unfolds against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic era. The narrative follows an ex-police officer presumed dead who secretly remains alive, executing dubious assignments for a corrupt Mumbai police commissioner while operating a luxury app-based taxi service in the city.
The film gained international attention in December 2025 when it became the sole Indian selection for the launch lineup of Letterboxd's Video Store platform. This made 'Kennedy' available through the TVOD (Transactional Video on Demand) model across 23 countries, though notably excluding India from this initial distribution. Subsequently, in January 2026, it was announced that the film would premiere on the Zee5 streaming platform, expanding its accessibility to domestic audiences.
The journey of 'Kennedy' from Cannes red carpet to censored theatrical release illustrates the complex intersection of artistic vision and regulatory requirements in contemporary Indian cinema. Despite the modifications, anticipation remains high for Kashyap's latest cinematic offering, which promises his signature gritty storytelling within a pandemic-era thriller framework.
