Deepak Tijori Challenges CBFC's 'Half-Mute' Censorship Approach for Adult Films
While Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge continues its spectacular box office domination, a significant conversation about film certification practices has emerged from an unexpected quarter. Veteran actor-director Deepak Tijori has publicly questioned what he perceives as puzzling inconsistencies in how films are censored for theatrical release compared to their subsequent availability on streaming platforms.
Questioning the Logic Behind Partial Muting
Taking to Instagram with a detailed critique, Tijori expressed genuine confusion about the Central Board of Film Certification's approach to handling abusive language in films already certified for adult audiences. "I must admit... maybe I'm missing something. Maybe I just don't have the kind of intellect that the CBFC or its board members possess," he began, establishing the tone for his thoughtful examination of current practices.
The filmmaker specifically challenged the practice of partially muting offensive words in theatrical versions. "Because I genuinely don't understand this—why mute half the abuses and let the other half stay? At places, keep some and fully mute some? Especially when the film is already certified 18+, which clearly means it's meant for adults. So who exactly are we protecting here? And from what... half a word?"
The OTT Contradiction Highlighted
Tijori further illuminated what he considers a glaring contradiction in the certification ecosystem. He pointed out that films typically arrive on OTT platforms within weeks of their theatrical run, yet these streaming versions contain completely uncensored dialogue.
"And then comes the part that really confuses me—the same film, within a month or two, releases on OTT... completely unmuted... untouched... exactly as it was meant to be. And that's where kids end up watching it... at home... sitting with family... with everything fully audible," he noted with concern.
The actor-director concluded his critique with a rhetorical question that has since resonated across the industry: "So I'm just trying to understand, honestly—how smart is it to 'half mute' something in theatres for adults, when the same thing plays out in full volume at home soon after?" He tagged his post with #JustTryingToUnderstand and #CinemaLogic, inviting broader discussion.
CBFC's Modifications for Dhurandhar 2
According to official certification details, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge underwent significant modifications before receiving its theatrical release approval. The CBFC suggested 21 changes, with four major alterations focusing on toning down scenes of extreme violence, including:
- Eye-smashing sequences
- Beheading depictions
- Blunt-force attack scenes
Additional adjustments included correcting demonetisation dates in subtitles and replacing "Lahore" with "Delhi" in informational text. The film received an 'A' certificate and runs for 3 hours, 49 minutes, and 36 seconds in Indian theaters—notably six minutes shorter than its international version following the board's required cuts.
Record-Breaking Box Office Performance
Directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh in the lead role, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has achieved remarkable commercial success since its March 18 release. The sequel to the original blockbuster features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, R Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, and Arjun Rampal.
According to trade tracker Sacnilk, the film's financial achievements are extraordinary:
- Rs 623.42 crore net collection in India
- Rs 744.58 crore gross collection in India
- Rs 261.92 crore from overseas markets
- Total worldwide collection of Rs 1,006.50 crore
These figures establish Dhurandhar 2 as one of the fastest films to cross the Rs 1,000 crore milestone globally, cementing its status as a cinematic phenomenon while simultaneously highlighting the certification questions raised by industry veterans like Tijori.
