9 secs of bikini, 0 secs of logic: Kiara Advani's scene cut leads to wondering what exactly is CBFC afraid of?

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has done it again and this time, it’s Kiara Advani’s turn to face the scissors. In the upcoming War 2, the board has chopped nine seconds from her much-talked-about bikini scene in the song Aavan Jaavan. Nine seconds. That’s all it took to spark a fresh wave of “What on earth is the CBFC thinking?” conversations online.

This isn’t just about one actress in a swimsuit. It’s about the curious, often baffling logic that governs what India’s censor board allows us to see. Because when you look at the recent pattern, it’s less about protecting sensibilities and more about… well, no one’s quite sure anymore.

From Krypton to Bollywood: CBFC’s Scissor-Happy Streak

The Kiara bikini cut comes hot on the heels of another controversial CBFC decision, trimming a 33-second kissing scene from James Gunn’s Superman. The scene, featuring David and Rachel, wasn’t just edited; it was surgically shortened after the board flagged it as a “sensual visual.” Social media had a field day, questioning why an innocent kiss in a superhero movie was being treated like a national security threat.

Now, War 2 has walked into the same storm. Alongside Kiara’s cut, the CBFC also deleted what it deemed an “obscene gesture,” replaced an “objectionable” line with a tamer version, and here’s the kicker, ordered that all “sensual images” in the film be reduced by 50%. It’s the kind of blanket directive that sounds more like a math problem than a moral safeguard.

The Internet Reacts: ‘It’s Just a Bikini, Not a Biohazard’

Naturally, the internet has wasted no time in pointing out the absurdity. In an era where streaming platforms serve up racier, more explicit content at the click of a button, the CBFC’s decision to censor a few seconds of a bikini shot feels like policing beachwear in Goa.

Fans have especially been vocal because Kiara’s look in Aavan Jaavan was already making waves, her first on-screen bikini appearance, crafted after months of disciplined training and a strict diet. Her nutritionist even revealed she had no interest in shortcuts, opting for a sustainable, protein-rich plan that made her feel strong. And now, part of that hard work is literally missing from the final cut.

The Pattern of ‘Protecting’ Viewers

Over the past few years, CBFC cuts have ranged from the mildly amusing to the downright puzzling. Romantic moments, suggestive visuals, certain words in dialogues, all have found themselves on the chopping block. The justification often falls under vague categories like “offensive,” “sensual,” or “objectionable.” But the criteria for these labels remain elusive.

The irony? The same films often retain intense action sequences with graphic violence. In War 2, while Kiara’s poolside frame lost 9 seconds, the high-octane fight scenes remain untouched. It begs the question: are bullets more acceptable than bikinis?

No one’s arguing that films shouldn’t be reviewed before release. But the CBFC’s role is to certify content, not slice it into creative fragments. The Revising Committee granted War 2 a U/A 16+ rating, a category already meant for slightly older teens and adults. So why not trust the rating to do its job instead of micromanaging the footage?

In the Superman case, the UA certification could have allowed for the full kiss without offending the supposed “family audience.” In War 2, the same logic applies if the audience is old enough to watch stylized violence, it’s old enough to see Kiara in a bikini without moral damage.

War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, is set for an August 14 release, just ahead of Rajinikanth’s Coolie. The box office battle will be fierce, but the bigger battle might just be the one between filmmakers and the board that governs what the public gets to see. The CBFC’s recent choices are already part of the conversation around the film, and not in a way that benefits its reputation.

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