A censorship of James Gunn's Superman in India is drawing fire from fans online as they call out the unnecessary removal of two scenes.
The DCU film scored a major box office victory worldwide, garnering impressive numbers in the domestic market and several countries across various regions. It is a much-needed win for the launch of the new DC movie franchise.
Why Are Fans Upset About the Censorship of Superman in India?
According to Variety, India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has removed two scenes from Gunn's Superman, and neither of them is an action scene.
The two kissing scenes between Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane were removed from the Indian screenings of Superman, including the now-iconic mid-air flying kiss.
They were cut as the censorship board deemed them "overly sensual" to achieve a UA (13+) rating.
Many fans and notable figures from the Indian entertainment industry are criticizing the removal of the two scenes and the hypocrisy of the decision, as Bollywood movies often get away with sensual scenes.
Actress Shreya Dhanwanthary called the decision "ridiculous" and expressed disappointment at the unnecessary removal of the scenes.
Here are the other reaction posts from fans on X:
So far, Gunn has not commented on the Indian censorship board's decision to remove kissing scenes from Superman.
What is Superman's Box Office Performance?
Superman opened with an impressive $122 million at the domestic box office, putting it at the top spot of the charts.
Globally, it has already grossed around $220 million, and it is also the number one film in some countries worldwide. The production budget is reportedly at around $200-225 million.
This is a much-needed win for Warner Bros. and DC Studios as the film relaunches the new DCU franchise, and it sets up a promising path for its future in the next few years.
It remains to be seen whether the film will have a direct sequel, but this is a sign that DC Studios will likely develop a follow-up very soon, as this performance proves that the general audience is embracing the new Man of Steel.
There are also questions about whether the film will reach the billion-dollar mark, a rare achievement for a comic book movie nowadays.
What do you think of the censorship? Let us know in the comments.
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