Director Anurag Kashyap’s film Kennedy has received an A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification after several edits, including altered political references, removed crime mentions, muted dialogues, and mandatory anti-smoking warnings.
Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy Cleared with Edits, Set for Digital Premiere
Mumbai: After a long wait, director Anurag Kashyap's film "Kennedy" is now ready for release. The film will stream on OTT platforms on February 20th. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival in 2023. The CBFC has ordered several changes to the film before its release.
The Censor Board passed the film with an "A" certificate, but cuts were made to some dialogue and scenes. Donald Trump's name was changed to "Pump Trump," while visuals related to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and a reference to 1993 were removed, replacing the term "Pakistan Don." Additionally, an objectionable dialogue and some subtitles have been muted.
A 14-second dialogue from the first half of the film was removed. Anti-smoking warnings were also mandated in all smoking scenes. After the necessary changes were completed, the film received a certification in November 2023. The film's total duration is reported to be approximately 2 hours and 29 minutes.
The film "Kennedy" stars Rahul Bhatt and Sunny Leone in lead roles. Abhilash Thapliyal, Megha Burman, Aamir Dalvi, Kurush Debu, and Abhishek Deswal will also appear. Set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the story tells the story of a former policeman who, despite being presumed dead, survives and works undercover for a corrupt Mumbai Commissioner.
After receiving acclaim on the festival circuit, audiences are now eagerly awaiting its digital release. Despite the censorship cuts, the film's dark story, directing style, and acting have generated considerable buzz. It is believed that its OTT release could bring the film back into the spotlight.
The Censor Board's changes to "Kennedy" once again bring to the fore the debate about creative freedom and the certification process. It will be interesting to see how audiences respond to this highly anticipated film.
