Bollywood’s Most Controversial Films: Censorship and Public Outrage

Bollywood has produced its fair share of controversial films over the years, many of which have faced censorship and public outrage. Here’s a look at some of Bollywood’s most controversial films:

1. Bandit Queen (1994) – Directed by Shekhar Kapur, this biopic of the infamous Indian bandit Phoolan Devi was criticized for its explicit scenes of rape and violence. The film faced a long battle with the Indian censor board and was eventually released with several cuts.
2. Fire (1996) – Directed by Deepa Mehta, this film about a lesbian relationship between two sisters-in-law was met with protests and vandalism by Hindu fundamentalist groups. The film was eventually released with an adult rating and faced a limited release in India.
3. Black Friday (2004) – Directed by Anurag Kashyap, this film about the 1993 Mumbai bombings was banned in India for several years due to its sensitive subject matter. The film was eventually released in 2007 after the Bombay High Court lifted the ban.
4. Water (2005) – Directed by Deepa Mehta, this film about the plight of widows in 1930s India faced protests and vandalism by right-wing Hindu groups. The film was eventually released after a long legal battle and received critical acclaim.
5. Padmaavat (2018) – Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, this film about the legendary Rajput queen Padmavati faced protests and threats of violence by Rajput groups, who claimed that the film portrayed their queen in a derogatory manner. The film was eventually released after several cuts and faced a limited release in some parts of India.
6. Udta Punjab (2016) – Directed by Abhishek Chaubey, this film about drug abuse in Punjab faced censorship by the Indian censor board, which demanded over 89 cuts. The film was eventually released after the Bombay High Court ordered only one cut.
7. Lipstick Under My Burkha (2017) – Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, this film about the sexual desires of four women faced censorship by the Indian censor board, which deemed the film too “lady-oriented” and “offensive.” The film was eventually released after a long legal battle and received critical acclaim.

In conclusion, Bollywood has produced several controversial films over the years that have faced censorship and public outrage. Despite the challenges, many of these films have gone on to receive critical acclaim and become cult classics, demonstrating the power of cinema to challenge societal norms and provoke thought.