Top 5 Bollywood banned films in India

Bollywood, the Indian film industry, has seen its fair share of controversy and censorship over the years.

Here are 5 Bollywood movies that have been banned or faced significant restrictions:

1. “Bandit Queen” (1994): “Bandit Queen,” directed by Shekhar Kapur, faced a ban initially due to its explicit content and portrayal of violence, rape, and nudity. The film is based on the life of Phoolan Devi, a former dacoit and later a politician. After multiple cuts and modifications, it was eventually released with an ‘A’ (adults only) certification.
2. “Fire” (1996): “Fire,” directed by Deepa Mehta, stirred controversy and faced a ban due to its depiction of a lesbian relationship. The film explores the emotional and sexual relationship between two married women. It faced protests from conservative groups, and screenings were disrupted. However, the ban was later lifted, and the film gained critical acclaim.
3. “Black Friday” (2007): “Black Friday,” directed by Anurag Kashyap, was based on the Mumbai bombings in 1993. The film faced a ban due to concerns that its release could impact ongoing trials. The ban was lifted after the trial concluded, and the film was released in 2007, receiving critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of the events.
4. “Udta Punjab” (2016): “Udta Punjab,” directed by Abhishek Chaubey, faced a major controversy prior to its release. The film deals with the issue of drug abuse in the state of Punjab. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanded multiple cuts and modifications, leading to a legal battle between the filmmakers and the censor board. Eventually, the film was released with some cuts upheld but still conveyed its intended message.
5. “Padmaavat” (2018): “Padmaavat,” directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, faced protests and bans by various groups for allegedly distorting historical facts. The film depicts the story of Queen Padmavati, based on a legendary poem. Protests turned violent, and the film’s release was delayed. After obtaining clearance from the CBFC and making certain modifications, the film was released amidst tight security.

Other bollywood banned films:

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• Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996) – The film was based on the ancient Indian text, Kama Sutra, and contained scenes of nudity and sexual content. It was banned in India for its explicit content.
• Parzania (2005): The film was based on the 2002 Gujarat riots and followed the story of a Parsi family searching for their missing son. The movie faced protests and was banned in Gujarat.
• Water (2005): The film explored the lives of widows in a 1930s Indian ashram. The movie was banned in Uttar Pradesh and faced protests from conservative Hindu groups.
• Black and White (2008): The movie was based on the 2002 Delhi bombings and examined the issue of terrorism and the Muslim community in India. It was banned for two months due to concerns that it could incite communal tension.
• Aarakshan (2011): The movie explored the issue of caste-based reservations in Indian education system. The movie faced protests and was banned in several states.
• Paanch (Unreleased): Paanch, directed by Anurag Kashyap, faced several issues with the Indian censor board and remained unreleased due to its dark and violent content.
• Sins (2005): Sins, based on a real-life scandal involving a Catholic priest, faced backlash from religious groups. It was banned in several Indian states and faced significant censorship challenges.