Censor Board cuts 38 seconds from Obsession despite A rating, horror fans miffed
Obsession opened in Indian theatres after the CBFC removed 38 seconds of footage despite an A certificate. The cuts triggered online criticism from viewers who said key plot elements were affected.
Curry Barker's horror film Obsession finally arrived in Indian theatres on May 29, but conversations around its release quickly shifted from scares to censorship. Despite receiving an A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the film was released after 38 seconds of footage featuring extremely violent, and sex scenes were removed.
What are the CBFC changes made to Obsession?
The cuts have drawn criticism from viewers, many of whom took to social media to question why an adults-only film was edited at all. Several users argued that the removed footage affected key moments in the narrative and diluted the intended viewing experience.
According to the CBFC certificate, Obsession has an approved runtime of approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. The certification details show that mandatory anti-smoking and anti-tobacco health spots were inserted, while statutory warnings related to smoking and alcohol consumption were imposed on relevant scenes.
The most significant changes, however, involved the removal of content deemed unsuitable by the board. The CBFC ordered a reduction of 24 seconds of "extreme violence" and the complete deletion of 14 seconds depicting "graphic sexual activity", bringing the total excised footage to 38 seconds. A visual containing nudity was also removed before the film was cleared for release.
See the changes here:
Fans reactions to the censor body changes
Soon after the film opened in cinemas, viewers expressed their disappointment online.
An X user wrote, "What’s Wrong with CBFC? CBFC has trimmed 38 Seconds of Footage from Obsession and given it an ‘A’ Certificate. What’s the point of giving an ‘A’ certificate if you have to trim and mute the sequences? First with Superman, then with the Dhurandhar franchise and now with Obsession. CBFC considers ADULTS immature enough that they can’t watch Horror in a jam-packed theatre. Too much interference (sic)."
Another user questioned the purpose of the adult certification itself. "I liked Obsession. Right up until the climax, it has one of the most jarring CBFC cuts I've seen in a movie that resets characters entirely and leaves you wondering what just happened (sic)," the post read.
The criticism extended to Instagram as well. One user commented, "I have stopped going to the movies and stopped spending on OTT subscriptions because of this very reason." Another wrote, "So there are things that even adults cannot watch? Then who qualifies to watch these scenes? Aliens?"
Several viewers also claimed that the removed portions were central to the film's narrative and had been widely discussed following its release overseas. "They censored the whole point of the movie?" one Instagram user remarked.
See the reactions here:
India Today's review of Obsession
Bhavna Agarwal of India Today gave the horror filck the highest rating, calling it a "psychological horror that is impossible to shake off." A section of the review read, "The horror does not come from the supernatural object itself but from the terrifying entitlement hiding underneath Bear’s wish. Because the film smartly asks a difficult question: how different is obsession from love when possession becomes the goal?"
Obsession stars Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson and Michael Johnston in lead roles. Directed by Curry Barker, the supernatural horror-thriller revolves around a socially awkward music store employee whose desperate wish to win over his longtime crush takes a sinister turn.
Curry Barker's horror film Obsession finally arrived in Indian theatres on May 29, but conversations around its release quickly shifted from scares to censorship. Despite receiving an A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the film was released after 38 seconds of footage featuring extremely violent, and sex scenes were removed.
What are the CBFC changes made to Obsession?
The cuts have drawn criticism from viewers, many of whom took to social media to question why an adults-only film was edited at all. Several users argued that the removed footage affected key moments in the narrative and diluted the intended viewing experience.
According to the CBFC certificate, Obsession has an approved runtime of approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. The certification details show that mandatory anti-smoking and anti-tobacco health spots were inserted, while statutory warnings related to smoking and alcohol consumption were imposed on relevant scenes.
The most significant changes, however, involved the removal of content deemed unsuitable by the board. The CBFC ordered a reduction of 24 seconds of "extreme violence" and the complete deletion of 14 seconds depicting "graphic sexual activity", bringing the total excised footage to 38 seconds. A visual containing nudity was also removed before the film was cleared for release.
See the changes here:
Fans reactions to the censor body changes
Soon after the film opened in cinemas, viewers expressed their disappointment online.
An X user wrote, "What’s Wrong with CBFC? CBFC has trimmed 38 Seconds of Footage from Obsession and given it an ‘A’ Certificate. What’s the point of giving an ‘A’ certificate if you have to trim and mute the sequences? First with Superman, then with the Dhurandhar franchise and now with Obsession. CBFC considers ADULTS immature enough that they can’t watch Horror in a jam-packed theatre. Too much interference (sic)."
Another user questioned the purpose of the adult certification itself. "I liked Obsession. Right up until the climax, it has one of the most jarring CBFC cuts I've seen in a movie that resets characters entirely and leaves you wondering what just happened (sic)," the post read.
The criticism extended to Instagram as well. One user commented, "I have stopped going to the movies and stopped spending on OTT subscriptions because of this very reason." Another wrote, "So there are things that even adults cannot watch? Then who qualifies to watch these scenes? Aliens?"
Several viewers also claimed that the removed portions were central to the film's narrative and had been widely discussed following its release overseas. "They censored the whole point of the movie?" one Instagram user remarked.
See the reactions here:
India Today's review of Obsession
Bhavna Agarwal of India Today gave the horror filck the highest rating, calling it a "psychological horror that is impossible to shake off." A section of the review read, "The horror does not come from the supernatural object itself but from the terrifying entitlement hiding underneath Bear’s wish. Because the film smartly asks a difficult question: how different is obsession from love when possession becomes the goal?"
Obsession stars Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson and Michael Johnston in lead roles. Directed by Curry Barker, the supernatural horror-thriller revolves around a socially awkward music store employee whose desperate wish to win over his longtime crush takes a sinister turn.
