Fifty Shades of Grey banned by Indian censors despite sex scenes being edited out
Nudity and BDSM were removed from the $400m grossing film
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Fifty Shades of Grey film has been banned in India – the country that gave the world ancient sex compendium the Kama Sutra.
India’s government censors will not allow Sam Taylor-Johnson’s big screen adaptation of EL James’ bestselling erotic novel to be shown in cinemas.
The ultra-conservative country follows Malaysia, Indonesia and Kenya in imposing a blanket ban. It also today announced an injunction on controversial Delhi bus rape documentary India’s Daughter - although many have defied it by watching on YouTube.
India’s chief executive of the Central Board of Film Certification, Shravan Kumar, declined to comment on why Fifty Shades has been vetoed, but it is likely concerning its sexual content.
Indian censors refused to approve the film adaptation but said Universal Pictures could appeal the decision.
A Universal Pictures source familiar with the review process told Reuters the board had objected to some of the film's dialogue.
The declined to pass the film for transmission even after it was edited to tone down sex scenes and remove all nudity.
The movie was awarded an 18 certificate in the UK because it contains scenes of BDSM.
The trilogy of books which sold more than 100 million copies worldwide were dubbed “mummy porn” in the press. The film, which first opened in February, has already grossed more than £262 million worldwide.
The story follows a tortured billionaire Christian Grey, played by Jamie Dornan in the film, and his would-be “submissive”, university student Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson).
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
The film's distributor, Comcast Corp, decided not release the film in China, the world's second-largest film market, where the censors tend to ban sexually explicit films.
Universal Studios sources said the studio had already approached the relevant committee in India at the central board to make its appeal. The source declined to be identified as he is not authorised to speak to the media about the censorship process.
India's censor has faced considerable criticism lately. Leela Samson, who served several years as its chairman, quit in January after accusing the federal government of interfering in the board's decisions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government then unveiled a new-look censor board, which has since issued guidelines saying Indian films should not contain profanity.
In the case of a new Bollywood movie Dum Laga Ke Haisha (Give It All You've Got), the censor board asked that the word "lesbian" be purged from the film's dialogue.
Additional reporting by Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments