James Gunn’s Superman is off to a flying start at the global box office, raking in over $200 million in its opening weekend.
The superhero reboot has performed strongly not only in the US but across key international markets. In India, the film grossed over $4 million in its first four days. However, in the country, conversations have been dominated less by ticket sales and more by censorship.
CBFC Cuts Superman–Lois Kiss Scene
India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reportedly removed multiple curse words and trimmed a kiss scene between David Corenswet (Superman) and Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), reducing a 33-second sequence to just a few seconds. The move sparked criticism from Indian audiences, who slammed the CBFC for its conservative stance on intimate content.
International Reactions: Confusion and Criticism
The censorship drew global attention when Entertainment Weekly published a piece titled, “Indian film board cuts Superman kissing scene after deeming them too ‘sensual’.” American audiences expressed surprise and amusement at the news.
“1.4 billion people and they still think a kiss is too much?” one user wrote. Others pointed out the irony: “Didn’t they write the Kama Sutra?” Several comments called the CBFC’s mindset “regressive” and “stuck in the 1800s.”
Some also noted the inconsistency in Indian film censorship. “Graphic violence? Fine. A consensual kiss? Banned,” a user wrote. The online backlash found support among Indian social media users too, with many urging international voices to call out the CBFC more aggressively. “Please shame our censor board internationally. Maybe then they’ll stop living in the 16th century,” one Indian commenter posted.
About the Film
Directed by James Gunn, Superman marks the first installment in DC’s new cinematic universe. David Corenswet leads as Clark Kent/Superman, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The cast also includes Nicholas Hoult, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, and Anthony Carrigan. The film has garnered praise for its fresh take and strong performances, though its reception in India now carries the added weight of a censorship debate.
