The CBFC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, established under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Its legal mandate is to certify films for public exhibition (U, UA, A, or S). Although legally designated to certify films, it historically functions as a censor, frequently ordering cuts, edits, or outright bans before a film can reach theaters.

Theatrical releases in India require pre-certification by the CBFC under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. However, digital streaming (Over-The-Top or OTT) platforms are governed by the IT Rules, 2021, which mandate a three-tier self-regulatory framework rather than mandatory pre-censorship. Despite this legal freedom, OTT platforms frequently choose to stream the CBFC-certified theatrical cut of films to avoid potential lawsuits, political backlash, or local complaints.

Secularism is a core pillar of the Indian Constitution, while communalism (tensions or conflict between religious groups) remains a sensitive political issue. Filmmakers who attempt to address these themes often face severe scrutiny from the CBFC. Under guidelines issued by the government, the board can restrict films that might excite communal passions, cause public disorder, or offend religious sentiments, leading to a decline in politically engaged cinema.

The film Satluj (originally titled Ghallughara and later Punjab ‘95) is a biographical drama directed by Honey Trehan, starring Diljit Dosanjh. It depicts the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist who investigated illegal disappearances and extrajudicial killings by the police in Punjab during the militancy era. The film faced a three-year delay as the CBFC demanded 127 cuts, including removing the protagonist’s name and changing the title. Although it was briefly released uncut on the streaming platform ZEE5 in July 2026, it was removed within 48 hours following government objections and reviews under the IT Rules, 2021.

The Cinematograph Act, 1952 is the principal law governing film exhibition and censorship in India. It empowers the Central Government to constitute the CBFC. Section 5B(1) of the Act sets the criteria for denying certification, based on Article 19(2) of the Indian Constitution, which includes the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, public order, and decency. However, because the board members are appointed by the Central Government, its operational autonomy has often been questioned by filmmakers.

Under the Cinematograph Rules, 1983, the CBFC is bound by a timeline to process film certification applications. The rules specify that the board should examine, review, and issue a certificate or order cuts within a maximum limit (historically around 68 days or approximately 10 weeks from submission). The editorial argues that the board violates this regulatory requirement by intentionally delaying reviews of politically controversial films.

Dev Patel’s directorial debut, Monkey Man, was released internationally by Universal Pictures in April 2024. The film features a fictionalized setting depicting a corrupt political party utilizing religious nationalism to maintain power. Fearing political backlash, the CBFC delayed reviewing the film indefinitely by simply refusing to schedule a screening. Since films cannot be released in Indian theaters without a CBFC certificate, this administrative delay acted as a “de facto ban” while avoiding the legal challenges of a formal ban.

Homebound (2025) is a Hindi-language film directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Karan Johar. The movie depicts the humanitarian crisis and hardship faced by migrant workers during the sudden nationwide lockdown imposed in India in March 2020. The film was chosen as India’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. However, before its release, the CBFC forced several cuts, removing dialogue and scenes critical of the administration’s handling of the crisis, reflecting censorship of real-world socio-political issues.

Section 5A(2) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, mandates that every film certificate granted or refused by the CBFC must be published in the Gazette of India. The Gazette of India is the official public record of the Government of India, ensuring transparency and public access to administrative decisions. The CBFC’s failure to publish these decisions prevents the public and researchers from tracking censorship orders and cuts, leading to accusations of unlawful concealment.

The National Film Archive of India (NFAI) was established in 1964 (later merged with the National Film Development Corporation in 2022) to preserve India’s cinematic heritage. Historically, when the CBFC ordered cuts, the excised film strips (cut portions) were deposited with the archives. These deleted scenes serve as vital primary source materials for film scholars and historians studying the evolution of censorship, state narratives, and social changes in India. The stoppage of this practice limits academic research into film history.

Under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, citizens have the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2). In the landmark case K.A. Abbas v. Union of India (1970), the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of pre-censorship for films. The Court ruled that because films have a unique combination of sight, sound, and motion, they have a much stronger impact than print media, justifying prior censorship. In contrast, most Western democracies only rate films for age appropriateness without ordering cuts.