The Central Board of Film Certification frequently finds itself in hot water these days. It constantly walks a tightrope between artistic freedom and strict societal norms. Recent cases involving movies like 'Rahu Ketu' and 'Dhurandhar' show how censorship continues to influence Bollywood productions.
Regional Cinema Faces Certification Hurdles
January 2026 started with major controversies in regional films. Thalapathy Vijay's political thriller 'Jana Nayagan' faced serious trouble. The makers accepted twenty-seven cuts from the CBFC. However, the board then referred the film to a Revising Committee. This move sparked a legal battle that reached the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court refused to intervene in the matter. Now, the film awaits a crucial hearing in the Madras High Court scheduled for January 20. This case marks a significant moment for Vijay's final acting project.
Meanwhile, Sivakrthikeyan's 'Parasakthi' remake also encountered certification issues. Director Sudha Kongara's 2026 version survived twenty-five last-minute cuts. The Youth Congress even demanded a ban over alleged historical inaccuracies regarding Indira Gandhi and anti-Hindi protests.
'Rahu Ketu' Receives U/A Rating After Changes
Pulkit Samrat's film 'Rahu Ketu' finally got cleared by the CBFC. The board awarded it a U/A 16+ rating after the producers made several important modifications. These changes happened just before its January 16, 2026 release date.
The makers replaced the famous "voom" scream from the 'Kantara' soundtrack used in one scene. They also swapped visuals showing drug sniffing for less controversial content. Middle finger gestures became pinky finger displays throughout the film.
All alcohol brand names disappeared from bottles and scenes. A dialogue in one particular scene got completely swapped. The production team submitted an authentication letter for a Sanskrit shloka featured in the movie.
These adjustments helped secure certification on January 12. The final runtime settled at 139 minutes and 40 seconds.
'Dhurandhar' Re-release With Muted Words
Aditya Dhar's spy thriller 'Dhurandhar' continues its strong box office performance since its December 5, 2025 premiere. While audiences praised the film widely, some critics labeled it political propaganda.
The makers decided to re-release a revised version. According to Bollywood Hungama reports, cinema halls across India received an email from distributors on December 31, 2025. This email announced a DCP replacement for the film.
A source told the outlet that the changes involved muting two specific words and altering one dialogue. These modifications followed direct instructions from India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Theaters received instructions to download the updated version for screenings starting January 1, 2026. The insider revealed that one muted word in the new 'Dhurandhar' cut was "Baloch."
Historical Cases of CBFC Interventions
Vishal Bhardwaj's 2014 film 'Haider' faced significant CBFC scrutiny. This adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' tackled the Kashmir conflict directly. The certification board demanded twenty-three cuts before release.
These included muting "azaadi" chants and toning down violent scenes. Despite these alterations, the film retained its powerful impact. It went on to win National Awards and critical acclaim. Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, and Shraddha Kapoor led the stellar cast.
'Udta Punjab's Landmark Battle
Anurag Kashyap's 2016 film 'Udta Punjab' created a major confrontation with the CBFC. The movie exposed Punjab's drug crisis openly. The board initially slashed eighty-nine cuts from the film.
They attempted to change "Punjab" to "Punjabistan" and beeped out abusive language. However, the Bombay High Court intervened in this case. The court allowed the film to release with minimal edits instead.
This decision marked a rare victory for creative freedom in Indian cinema. The film performed well at the box office and created substantial social impact. It featured Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, and Diljit Dosanjh in leading roles.
The CBFC's scissors keep shaping Indian cinema narratives. From recent releases to historical cases, certification battles remain an integral part of filmmaking in the country. Each decision influences how stories reach audiences across theaters.
