Mumbai: Saiyaara, the much-anticipated Bollywood debut of Ahaan Panday, cousin of actress Ananya Panday, is making headlines not just for its release but for the censorship controversy it has courted. Directed by Mohit Suri and presented by Yash Raj Films, the romantic musical is scheduled for theatrical release on July 18.
Starring Ahaan Panday alongside newcomer Aneet Padda, Saiyaara has received a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). However, the approval came with several conditions.
ALSO READ| Saiyaara Box Office Collection Day 1: Ahaan Pandey’s Debut Film Eyes ₹15 Crore Opening
CBFC Calls for Changes in Dialogue, Visuals, and Safety Disclaimers
According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the CBFC instructed the filmmakers to:
- Replace four scenes with “objectionable” words using more “appropriate” dialogue
- Delete or alter 10 seconds of “sensual, intimate, body exposure visuals”
- Add a safety disclaimer during two-wheeler scenes stressing helmet use
Post these edits, the final runtime of the film stands at 156.50 minutes (2 hours, 36 minutes, and 50 seconds).
Censorship Sparks Online Backlash
The CBFC’s intervention has sparked widespread reactions online, especially on platforms like Reddit, where users criticized the board’s perceived conservatism.
- One user commented, “Sanskari censor board got no chill.”
- Another pointed out inconsistency: “The same CBFC gave Housefull 5 a U/A certificate. Hypocrisy.”
- Some even joked, calling for Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga to become the CBFC chairman.
The Saiyaara controversy follows another recent incident in which the CBFC cut a kissing scene from the upcoming Superman movie starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, further fueling criticism of outdated standards.
ALSO READ| ‘Saiyaara’ Review: Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda Impress in Mohit Suri’s Emotional Love Story
Musical Drama Gaining Momentum Despite Censorship
Despite the edits, Saiyaara is seeing strong pre-release buzz. The film marks Mohit Suri’s first collaboration with YRF and features a multi-composer soundtrack with contributions from:
- Mithoon
- Sachet-Parampara
- Vishal Mishra
- Tanishk Bagchi
- Faheem Abdullah
- Rishabh Kant
- Arslan Nizami
Advance booking numbers suggest that Saiyaara is poised for a strong box office opening, censorship cuts notwithstanding.
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