“Superman” has been censored in India.
The Indian Central Board of Film Certification removed two kiss scenes between the titular superhero (David Corenswet) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) in James Gunn’s new blockbuster film, according to a Bollywood Hungama report.
The scenes, which include a 33-second mid-air kiss between the beloved fictional couple, were deemed “overly sensual” by the CBFC, per Variety.
An eight-second shot of Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) giving the middle finger with his super-powered ring in a fight scene was also reportedly cut for including a “foul gesture.”
In total, 41 seconds of the 130-minute movie were removed in India.
The censoring process was reportedly completed on July 7, four days before the Warner Bros. flick was released worldwide.
“There are times when the studio anticipates that the CBFC might ask for a cut. It lengthens the censor process as one has to then make the cut, get it approved by the CBFC’s Examining Committee,” an industry source told Bollywood Hungama. “Only then, do they get the certificate. To save time and effort, they self-censor.”
The Post has reached out to the CBFC and Warner Bros. for comment.
India’s censorship was slammed by fans of the DC movie.
“Dear Board Members of CBFC, you are a disgrace to the film industry,” one X account wrote. “Emoji censoring was your lowest point, & today, it was kissing (not making out, just passionate/sensual kissing) in #Superman that was cut. If movies are already made to be in ICU, you are the kill switch.”
“A simple kiss is too much?” another fan tweeted.
A different fan wrote: “India censoring kisses in Superman is so dystopian I don’t think it’s healthy censoring consensual expressions of love between adults in this day and age, something kids actually need to see to combat what they see online.”
“India censored Superman and Lois Lane KISSING? THE most stupid society, honest to god,” another account added.
Indian officials previously condemned a sex scene in the 2023 Oscar-winning film “Oppenheimer,” calling it “a scathing attack on Hinduism.”
“Superman,” the first film in Gunn’s rebooted DC universe, grossed $220 million globally in its opening weekend.
“I’m incredibly grateful for your enthusiasm and kind words over the past few days,” Gunn, 58, wrote via Threads on Sunday.
“We’ve had a lot of ‘Super’ in Superman over the years, and I’m happy to have made a movie that focuses on the ‘man’ part of the equation — a kind person always looking out for those in need.”
“Superman” is in theaters now.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
