India’s film certification body has come under criticism from viewers after ordering 38 seconds of cuts to the horror film Obsession before allowing its release in cinemas, despite granting the film an adults-only certificate.

Ahead of the film’s Indian release, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) ordered cuts to scenes containing violence, sexual content, and nudity.

Obsession, written and directed by Curry Barker, was released internationally on 15 May 2026 and opened in Indian cinemas on 29 May 2026. The low-budget horror film stars Michael Johnston as Bear, a music store employee who uses a supernatural object known as the “One Wish Willow” to wish that his childhood friend Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette, falls in love with him, leading to increasingly disturbing consequences.

Made on a reported budget of $750,000, it has grossed more than $286m worldwide, making it one of the year’s biggest sleeper hits in addition to being a critical success.

According to India Today, the board mandated three key modifications before clearing the film with an A certificate, which restricts viewing to adults aged 18 and above. These included a 24-second reduction of a scene classified as “extreme violence”, the deletion of a 14-second scene depicting “graphic sexual activity”, and the replacement of a visual containing nudity.

The cuts have triggered backlash against the CBFC, with many viewers questioning why an adults-only film was subjected to further censorship.

“Our censor board apparently deleted some VERY important scenes. When will cbfc perceive Indian adults as adults?” asked one viewer on X, formerly Twitter.

“I liked Obsession. Right up until the climax that has one of the most jarring CBFC cuts I've seen in a movie that resets characters entirely and leaves you wondering wtf just happened,” wrote another.

Spoilers follow

The 14-second sex scene in question is one that viewers discussing the film online have repeatedly described the scene as central to understanding who the real villain is; in the scene, Nikki’s expression reveals visible dissociation, making clear that her apparent affection for Bear is not consensual but the result of supernatural coercion.

“Each and every time it becomes crystal clear to the main character that the woman he claims to love is NOT in control of herself, he knowingly, willingly, chooses to ignore, deny or downplay her freakouts to keep enjoying what he sees as the benefits,” wrote one fan.

Another scene, cut for “extreme violence”, was equally significant.

The cut involved the murder of a character named Sarah, in which Nikki smashes her face against a hard surface. In the censored Indian version, viewers largely see only the aftermath of Sarah’s severely disfigured face without witnessing the full attack.

Indian cinemagoers, however, have been piecing together parts of the film from social media conversations.

“I hate the censor board for editing out this scene from Obsession. Like, we all were wondering how did she die from a shattered glass??” asked one disgruntled fan, after seeing the full scene of Sarah’s death.

Another fan said they were able to understand why several conversations about Bear painted him as the villain only after seeing the full sex scene online. “That is why I couldn't comprehend why people were hating on him here. Indian censor board needs to get a grip.”

“CBFC considers adults immature enough that they can’t watch horror in a jam-packed theatre. Too much interference,” wrote another viewer.

“So there are things that even adults cannot watch? Then who qualifies to watch these scenes? Aliens?” asked another.

The film board’s role is to certify movies for public viewing under the Cinematograph Act of 1952, giving them ratings like U (suitable for all ages), U/A (parental guidance), A (adults only), or S (restricted to specialists).

The board often requires filmmakers to make cuts before giving approval. The decisions are usually justified under Article 19(2) of the Indian constitution, which allows the government to place “reasonable restrictions” on free speech to protect morality, decency, or public order.

In a statement to The Independent, CBFC chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati declined to comment on Obsession specifically, saying it would not be appropriate to discuss individual certification decisions because films are reviewed through a “well laid out committee process”, including any subsequent revisions.

On how certification decisions are made, Vempati added: “I would advise you to refer to the Act and to the Rules notified under the Act which guide the Committees on how Films are to be Certified.”

No film can be legally released in Indian cinemas without the board’s certification, and delays in approval have previously held up or derailed releases altogether. In 2024, Dev Patel’s Monkey Man was pulled from its planned 19 April Indian release after the film failed to secure certification; reports said the CBFC had not even scheduled a screening for its examining committee despite changes made to tone down political references.

Over the last few years, criticism of the film board has grown among Indian audiences, many of whom describe its censorship as increasingly regressive, hypocritical, and frequent. In July last year, the board faced ridicule after reportedly cutting a kissing scene between Superman and Lois Lane from Superman for being “overly sensual”.

In more extreme cases, the board has demanded sweeping changes: Punjab ’95, a film about the human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, remains unreleased in India after the CBFC sought 127 cuts, while the filmmakers behind Santosh declined to implement cuts they said would fundamentally alter the film.