New Delhi: The guns and gore of Mirzapur: The Movie appear to have passed muster with the censor board ahead of its theatrical release on 4 September, but certain intimate scenes and cuss words have not been as lucky.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has ordered two intimate sequences to be reduced by 50 per cent, resulting in 35 seconds being cut from the film. It has also directed that cuss words be muted at four points and replaced at six others.
A dialogue beginning “Galey se lag kar…” has been modified, the word “Kamar” replaced in another dialogue, and “Lanth” altered elsewhere. A caste reference has also been changed.
The CBFC has also asked the makers to increase the duration of the film’s disclaimer and add a voiceover to it, as well as insert anti-alcohol, anti-drugs and anti-smoking messages wherever applicable.
Mirzapur: The Movie has been certified ‘A’ for theatrical release, with a final runtime of 197 minutes and 19 seconds.
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‘Diluting’ the Mirzapur brand?
The film takes forward the world of Mirzapur, the crime drama series that began streaming in 2018 and became known for its violence and profanity even as it got critical acclaim.
Directed by Gurmeet Singh and written by Puneet Krishna, Mirzapur: The Movie brings back Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Divyenndu from the franchise. One of the biggest surprises is the arrival of Jitendra Kumar, popularly known as Jeetu Bhaiya from Kota Factory. Ravi Kishan is also an addition to the cast. The trailer does not shy away from violence, with scenes including a character losing an arm in graphic detail.
The CBFC’s decision to make cuts despite giving the film an adult certificate has met with some derision on social media. Many asked why cuts were needed at all once the film had been certified ‘A’.
“Doing all these cuts despite A certificate is totally unnecessary,” posted X user @ADfanatic_, while others said the changes would “dilute” the film.
“I just dont know how dhurandhar was passed with minimal cuts compared to something like toxic or now mirzapur,” posted @decku357291.
(Edited by Asavari Singh)