The Indian Censor Board has slashed the kissing scenes between James Bond and his girls, considering the length of the pecks "too excessive", in the latest spy flick, 'Spectre.' The film was released in India on November 20 and has received a U/A certificate. Reports said the film received four cuts which included kisses between Daniel Craig and his co-stars, Monica Belluci and Lea Seydoux.
CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani was unavailable for comment. But sources close to him said the kissing content was reduced because the certification was U/A which allowed for the film to be screened to a wider theatrical audience and on TV. "We have to be careful with films that get U/A certificate because they can be shown on TV and to all audiences following parental guidance. The producers have accepted the cuts," the source said. Censor Board sources also said that the producers had asked for the edits.
However, social media had a field day with #SanskariJamesBond and #Censor Board trending on twitter. Board member Ashoke Pandit tweeted his disapproval of the way in which the movie was cleared and described it as a "mockery of the freedom of the filmmaker" and slammed Nihalani. The film directed by Sam Mendes also stars Christopher Waltz and Naomi Harris.
