India Censors 'Superman' Kisses, Middle Finger Scenes

India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has censored 41 seconds from James Gunn's 'Superman,' cutting two kiss scenes between Superman and Lois Lane as well as a brief middle finger gesture made by a Green Lantern character. The CBFC deemed the kiss scenes 'overly sensual' and the gesture 'obscene,' sparking backlash from fans and critics on social media who highlighted inconsistencies in Indian film censorship, such as allowing violent content while banning consensual kissing. Despite these cuts, 'Superman' achieved the largest opening weekend for a DC film in India, playing in multiple languages. This censorship is part of a broader trend in India, where studios sometimes preemptively self-censor content, as seen with the film 'F1' starring Brad Pitt, to comply with the CBFC's strict guidelines. Fans expressed frustration that romantic scenes were excised while other objectionable content passes, questioning the relevance of such censorship in modern Indian society. The CBFC has not publicly commented on the specific cuts to 'Superman,' but the controversy highlights ongoing tensions between global film culture and local censorship standards in India.