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For their eyes mainly: Indian board censors Bond's kissing scenes

For their eyes mainly: Indian board censors Bond's kissing scenes

CBFC has reined the British spy's lusty romantic life by cutting the length of two passionate embrace scenes
Updated 19 Nov, 2015

MUMBAI: It's the country that gave the world the Kama Sutra, but India's notoriously prudish film board has ruled that long kissing scenes in the new James Bond movie "Spectre" are not suitable for Indian audiences.

The Mumbai-based Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has reined in the fictional British spy's famously lusty romantic life by cutting the length of two passionate embrace scenes, its chairperson told AFP.

"We have reduced them," CBFC head Pahlaj Nihalani said, referring to separate kissing scenes between Daniel Craig, who plays Bond, and his co-stars Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux.

"Our work is for censoring the movie according to the rating of the film so we have done that," Nihalani said of "Spectre," which hits screens in India on Friday.

Nihalani said the film had been given an unrestricted adult rating, which means parental guidance is required for children under 12 years old.

Read: India's censor blocks 'Fifty Shades of Grey' from cinemas

A source at Sony Pictures Entertainment confirmed to AFP that the edits had been made.

"Two kissing scenes have been reduced by a few seconds," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that two swear words had also been deleted.

Nihalani said the film's promoters had the right to object to the edits but had not done so.

India's censors have a long history of barring movies and cutting scenes, including those that are deemed too racy or may cause religious offence, with filmmakers accusing censors of intolerance.

Earlier this year the CBFC blocked the release of "Fifty Shades of Grey" in India, despite being shown a toned-down version of the erotic movie.

Dissenting CBFC board member Ashoke Pandit earlier this year called Nihalani a "tyrant," and on Wednesday tweeted his displeasure at the edits made to the new Bond film.

"Spectre is an internationally applauded film, but again #PahlajNihalani messes it up by shading it with his own thought process #JamesBond," he wrote.

The decision sparked a frenzy on the social media site, where many users mocked the move.

"Censor Board is clear. Make in India? Good good. Make out in India? NEVER," tweeted Ramesh Srivats, referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan to attract foreign investment.

Also read: Lip-locking is not necessary in a film: Salman Khan

Comments

Ahmed USA Nov 19, 2015 02:03pm
Height of hypocricy... wait a minute... why censor an American movie whereas Bollywood actors can get away with anything...
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john Nov 19, 2015 03:07pm
Kissing where?
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NASAH(USA) Nov 19, 2015 03:11pm
1.2 billion Indians are born by immaculate conception. Sex is taboo in India.
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Sreenivas Nov 19, 2015 03:15pm
I have a doubt... Is Pakistan ready to show kissing and intimate scenes with 'U' (universal viewers) certificate ?
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Syed Ganga Din Nov 19, 2015 03:32pm
India board is full of perverts. They watch it a few times and then they ban it for rest of the public.
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sudhir Nov 19, 2015 03:37pm
@Ahmed USA The producer had an option of objecting to the cuts and getting a `A' certificate. But he didn't do it. If you need a U/A certification India you need to comply by censor board's guidelines.
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Harmony-11© Nov 19, 2015 03:40pm
"long kissing scenes in the new James Bond movie "Spectre" are not suitable for Indian audiences". Is short any better?
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Saad Nov 19, 2015 03:52pm
and this is covered in Pakistani news why?
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سے Shaam Nov 19, 2015 03:53pm
No a big deal at all, uncut movies are freely available everywhere... Better to have a scene cut than banning an entire movie altogether.
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Deependra Nov 19, 2015 04:01pm
Why Bollywood hasn't discovered Iman Ali yet? I think she is by far the best I have seen from Pakistan. I have never seen anyone like her from Pakistan. She is just awesome...She can beat the hell out of Deepika, Kareena, Alia.....
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Harmony-11© Nov 19, 2015 04:50pm
@Saad - Don't you get our news in your press? Don't be so touchy!
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Nez Nov 19, 2015 06:11pm
What a joke? Indian films have more skin show n long kissing scenes then Hollywood movies!!!!!
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AXH Nov 19, 2015 06:46pm
@Sreenivas - This article is about the Indian censor board and not about Pakistan.
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LTPeace Nov 19, 2015 08:02pm
@Harmony-11© Yes, we can cover the eyes of our children for only so long!
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Hayat Nov 19, 2015 08:28pm
@Sreenivas , The said scenes are censored in Pakistan also.
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A. Ali Nov 19, 2015 08:50pm
I wanted to use the word "hypocrisy" for this act of indian censor board, but the word "hypocrisy" made quite an intense protest and walked out. so I am waiting for its return to use it appropriately.
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truth Nov 19, 2015 08:55pm
Wait a minute ! all those you are rubbishing the cuts by censor, please read the context. It was cut to make the movie available for 12 yrs +. Without this cuts its only for adults. I think the bond movie actions are enjoyed by 12yrs but the kissing (long) is obviously not right for that age. So whats wrong in cutting the scenes to make it available for larger audience ? please stop being ignorant and be logical. Obviously the promoters dont mind it as they will have a larger pay back with kids watching it...
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lullakhan Nov 19, 2015 09:00pm
Bond is a misogynistic hero. He uses women as toys. Misogynistic Indian society does not need more of these stereotypes.
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gp65 Nov 19, 2015 10:11pm
@Ahmed USA "Height of hypocricy... wait a minute... why censor an American movie whereas Bollywood actors can get away with anything..." Bollywood movies that have kissing are usually rated A (for adults). If the producers and distributors wanted a U rating then some scenes would be censored. No hypocrisy there. Just consistency between rating and the product.
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gp65 Nov 19, 2015 10:17pm
@NASAH(USA) "1.2 billion Indians are born by immaculate conception. Sex is taboo in India." Sarcasm noted. Have you checked what censors in Pakistan permit or fail to permit? In any case it appears that the producers/distributors wanted a U (Universal rating) instead of A (Adult) rating for the movie which would reduce footfalls to the movie.There are some standards for a film rated U in India and the censor board was complying with that. Even Indian movies with kissing scene pass censor without cuts as long as they are willing to live with an A rating.
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PakPow Nov 19, 2015 10:19pm
They would have passed it for another higher certification. Seems sensible that its not fit for U certification. Nothing to do with actual kiss. There are much worse in bollywood but not with U certification.
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Akash Nov 19, 2015 10:58pm
Guys please read the article. They cut the kiss length to few seconds to match rating producers asked that is PG 12 - parental guidance under 12. Now post your comments please.
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dabangg Nov 19, 2015 11:01pm
@NASAH(USA) Give me a break. Are you saying PAK is more open in this matter?
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dabangg Nov 19, 2015 11:02pm
@Ahmed USA Even Bollywood movies get censored for kissing scenes.
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Haseena302 Nov 20, 2015 04:54am
@Saad Slow News Day
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ravi vancouver Nov 20, 2015 04:55am
Now they have restricted time of kiss next time they will ask James Bond to dress in Kurta Pyjama. BJP and its religious phobia will take India back to cave cultures.
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SKZ Nov 20, 2015 07:38am
@truth ..I totally agree with you.During the time of the kissing...adults may be enjoying watching that.. but the 12 yrs old will get bored or wondering whats going on..what kind of action is this in this action movie.
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Devashish Nov 20, 2015 01:57pm
Sony pictures wanted U/A certificate for the movie while censor board was giving "A"(adult) certificate. Hence, to comply to "U/A"(Under aged), the scenes were cut. If Sony pictures would have been ok with "A" certificate, then there was no requirement for editing out those scenes.
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Nag Nov 21, 2015 06:34am
Why so much argument about this kissing scene
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Appropriate nickname Nov 21, 2015 06:21pm
@Syed Ganga Din Lol funny comment xD
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