The CBFC’s decision to cut intimate portions from Verity, starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, has once again triggered a debate on India’s film certification rules. The Hollywood thriller has been awarded an ‘A’ certificate for its Indian release, but around 23 seconds of intimate footage, including portions of a make-out sequence, have reportedly been removed.

The cuts have not gone down well with a section of younger viewers on social media, with Gen-Z audiences questioning the logic behind censoring intimate content even after a film has been restricted to adults. Similar criticism was visible around Hollywood releases such as Oppenheimer and Superman, where discussions over cuts and certification brought renewed attention to how films are treated by the Indian censoring system.

The frustration also extends beyond intimate scenes. Social-media users have questioned why films can face scrutiny over kissing or sexual content while violent and gory action sequences are often allowed with an A certificate, and why Hindi film songs featuring suggestive content are permitted on screen while intimate scenes in Hollywood films continue to attract cuts. Another recurring argument is that instead of removing content from A-rated films, stronger age restrictions should be enforced to prevent minors from accessing them.

With Verity becoming the latest example, the larger question being raised by younger audiences is whether an ‘A’ certificate should simply restrict access to adults, rather than allowing further censorship of content meant specifically for them. The debate reflects a growing demand for clearer and more consistent standards in how adult content is handled in Indian theatres.

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