CBFC Trims 10 Seconds of Sensual Scene from Saiyaara, Ahaan Panday’s Film Faces Backlash
CBFC removes 10 seconds of intimacy visuals from Saiyaara, Ahaan Panday’s film, triggering debate over censorship and creative liberty.
Saiyaara: CBFC Cuts 10 Seconds of Intimacy and Body Exposure Visuals from Ahaan Panday’s Film Amid Public Outcry
In a move that has stirred fresh controversy in the Bollywood film industry, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has instructed the makers of Saiyaara, Ahaan Panday’s debut film, to cut a 10-second scene containing what it described as “intimacy and body exposure visuals.” The decision, which has triggered an uproar among cinema lovers and film industry insiders, is being seen as another instance of excessive censorship.
The edited scene involved a brief yet crucial moment of romantic intimacy between the lead actors, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. Alongside this visual cut, the CBFC also demanded the replacement of certain dialogues and mandated a helmet-safety disclaimer for bike-riding scenes in the film. These changes were implemented to meet the criteria for a U/A 16+ certification.
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The CBFC’s action has led to significant backlash, especially on social media platforms. Many users criticized the decision, pointing out inconsistencies in the board’s standards. Some netizens sarcastically suggested renaming the CBFC as the “Sanskaar Board,” implying that the board is more focused on moral policing than proper content certification.
The backlash isn’t just restricted to internet commentary. Within the film fraternity, questions are being raised about where the line is drawn between appropriate certification and outright suppression of creative vision. Critics argue that Saiyaara—a romantic drama—naturally contains elements of physical closeness, and trimming such sequences can dilute emotional depth.
Interestingly, this isn’t an isolated case. Just days earlier, the CBFC also edited out a 30-second kissing scene from another film, raising concerns about the board’s increasingly conservative approach. These actions have intensified the ongoing debate over how much authority the CBFC should wield in terms of content modification.
Despite the cuts, Saiyaara continues to be one of the most awaited films of the season. Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, the film features Ahaan Panday—cousin of actress Ananya Panday—making his big-screen debut. He is paired opposite Aneet Padda, known for her work in both OTT and theatrical releases. The film’s duration stands at just under two hours and forty minutes, and it is backed by a powerful soundtrack composed by top names like Mithoon and Tanishk Bagchi.
The anticipation around Saiyaara remains strong, especially with its theatrical release scheduled for July 18. Early advance bookings indicate that the controversy may actually be helping the film gain more attention. In fact, the buzz around Ahaan Panday’s performance and the film’s narrative could outweigh the noise around the censor board edits.
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For audiences, the final version of Saiyaara will still carry the emotional essence and romantic core of the story. However, the CBFC’s imposed changes mean that a small but potentially impactful visual moment will be missing—one that may have contributed to the chemistry between the lead characters.
The bigger conversation that this incident fuels is about the balance between artistic freedom and cultural sensitivity. While it’s important for films to be mindful of public sensibilities, excessive editing, especially of scenes involving consensual romance, raises the issue of creative suppression.
In conclusion, Saiyaara is set to make a mark not just for being Ahaan Panday’s film debut, but also for the controversy surrounding its censorship. The CBFC’s decision to cut 10 seconds of intimacy and body exposure visuals has sparked criticism and reignited discussions on the relevance and reach of content regulation in modern Indian cinema.
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