Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

RARE PHOTOS: Cbfc | Vintage Vibes

Pahlaj Nihalani, producer and former CBFC chief, dies at 76

Veteran producer and former Central Board of Film Certification chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani has died. Nihalani began his career in 1982 and is credited with launching the careers of actors Govinda and Chunky Panday. His tenure as CBFC chief from 2015 to 2017 was marked by controversy. He is survived by…

The Economic Times

Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ faces legal trouble in Delhi HC over putting 'undercover spys at risk'

Dhurandhar 2 Delhi HC: Delhi High Court has asked the Centre and the CBFC to examine concerns raised by an SSB personnel over the film Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The plea claimed the movie allegedly revealed sensitive military and intelligence-related operational details that could pose security risks.

The Economic Times

Former Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati will now lead CBFC

Shashi Shekhar Vempati, who until 2022 served as CEO of Prasar Bharati, has been appointed chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, succeeding Prasoon Joshi. Joshi has now taken over as chairman of Prasar Bharati.

Newslaundry

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Tamil Nadu election results 2026: Vijay emerges as the ultimate X-factor

Tamil superstar Vijay's political path is unclear after his party's election debut. He opposes the DMK and ideologically the BJP. His next move is highly anticipated. Past clashes with the BJP over his religion and film releases add complexity. Recent career decisions may keep his options open for future political…

The Economic Times

Indian film board blocks release of Oscar-nominated Gaza drama 'The Voice of Hind Rajab'

The release of Kaouther Ben Hania's Venice-winning and Oscar-nominated docu-drama 'The Voice of HInd Rajab' has been blocked by the country's ratings body. Beyond censorship, this decision reveals a shift in Israel-India relations under prime minister Narendra Modi.

Euronews

Oscar-nominated Voice of Hind Rajab stalled in India over ‘Israel ties’

The Indian theatrical release of The Voice of Hind Rajab, Kaouther Ben Hania’s Oscar-nominated feature, has been held up by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), with its local distributor alleging political considerations behind the delay, according to a Variety report.

Newslaundry

Indian film board blocks release of Oscar-nominated Gaza drama The Voice of Hind Rajab

Distributor says authorities warned screening Tunisian film-maker Kaouther Ben Hania’s docudrama could harm India–Israel relations

The Guardian - UK

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

Why KD The Devil song row is really about cinema’s old misogyny

It took just two days for the Hindi version of ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’, from the upcoming pan-India action drama KD: The Devil to disappear from YouTube. Complaints over its sexually explicit lyrics reached multiple authorities, and the song was described as vulgar, obscene, sexually suggestive, and unfit for public circulation. The…

Newslaundry

‘Kerala is secular’: HC flags concerns over The Kerala Story 2’s portrayal of state

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday, February 24, questioned the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over the certification granted to The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, which has triggered outrage with its provocative portrayal of the Muslim community. The film's trailer shows the community as intending to turn India into an…

Newslaundry

Diljit Dosanjh’s new film is a global success. Why can’t Indians watch it?

Indian cinemagoers are barred from the Punjabi and Bollywood actor’s latest hit over objections to Pakistani co-star.

Al Jazeera

Superman kissing scenes cut by India's censor board sparks backlash over double standards

Critics have slammed the move as hypocritical, pointing out that the board routinely allows graphic violence and misogyny in Indian films while censoring consensual intimacy in Hollywood ones.

Euronews

Indian film board criticised for cutting ‘overly sensual’ Superman kisses

Viewers complain that board allows violence and misogyny in Indian films but not a smooch in a Hollywood release

The Guardian - UK

The Superman scene that India wouldn’t allow

IN FULL

The Independent UK

Superman’s iconic kiss scene censored in India, leaving DC fans furious

Central Board of Film Certification deemed a kiss between Superman and Lois Lane ‘overly sensual’ for Indian cinemagoers

The Independent UK

Get all your
news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One news app.

Newslaundry

Let Me Explain: CBFC or censorship bureau? Who’s deciding what India can watch

This is a protest outside the CBFC office in Thiruvananthapuram.

Newslaundry

South Central 33: The CBFC’s absurd demand of 127 cuts for Punjab 95, director Honey Trehan speaks

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Leena Reghunath first discuss the controversy around director Honey Trehan’s film Punjab 95, starring Diljit Dosanjh, based on the life and death of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film’s release has been stalled by the Central Board of…

Newslaundry

Awful and Awesome Ep 387: The Royals, Flintoff, subscriber letters

While discussing The RoyalsAbhinandan: You’re saying Bhumi Pednekar is good in this? Is she the redeeming factor?Rajyasree: No, she's horrible in this…But it has worked in her favour because everyone has logged on and watched the show. Abhinandan: Why?Rajyasree: Because it’s so bad. Everyone trashed it so everyone logged on and…

The Independent UK

Bollywood film about anti-caste icons delayed after protests from Brahmins

India’s film certification body accused of censoring anti-caste film ‘Phule’ under pressure from so-called upper caste groups, sparking backlash over historical erasure

Get all your
news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One news app.

The Times of India

CBFC blocks release of 'Santosh'; director asked to make 'extensive cuts' on police brutality and societal issues

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has halted the Indian theatrical release of the film 'Santosh', the UK's official Oscar entry. The critically acclaimed film directed by Sandhya Suri stars Shahana Goswami as a police officer navigating institutional corruption.

Newslaundry

India bans internationally acclaimed film over its depiction of police brutality

The Central Board of Film Certification has reportedly blocked the release of the critically acclaimed film Santosh – which the UK selected as its official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards – in India due to concerns about its depiction of misogyny, Islamophobia, and violence within the Indian police force.

The Guardian - UK

Internationally acclaimed film Santosh blocked in India over portrayal of police brutality

Award-winning film set in fictional town has already made its debut at Cannes but censors have refused to approve it for domestic release

The Times of India

Nicole Kidman's 'Babygirl' CENSORED in India; CBFC deletes intimate scenes and nudity from 'A' rated film

Halina Reijn’s much-anticipated erotic drama Babygirl, starring Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, and Antonio Banderas, is finally set to release in Indian cinemas, but not without cuts.

The Times of India

Shahid Kapoor and Pooja Hegde's kiss scene in Deva trimmed by CBFC; film awarded U/A certificate

Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor has found his film once again on the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chopping block.

The Times of India

Diljit Dosanjh unveils FIRST LOOK from Punjab '95; says 'I challenge the Darkness'

Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh has given fans a glimpse of his next cinematic venture Punjab '95, by sharing the intense first look from his upcoming film.

Dynamite News

Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency' gets green signal for release

Kangana Ranaut starrer 'Emergency' has been finally passed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Read further on Dynamite News:

1 2 3

People

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Organisations

Google

29,735 stories

Bharatiya Janata Party

the Kerala High Court

The National Human Rights Commission

45 stories

Prasar Bharati

30 stories

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

Topics

Places

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.