From Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love To Sins: Exploring The Controversy Behind India's Banned Films

India has an appetite for various types of content, such as literature, artistic creations, and films. People consistently seek enjoyable sources of entertainment. Bollywood, in particular, consistently pushes boundaries and strives to offer fresh experiences to its audience each time they visit the cinema. Nevertheless, on occasion, certain films have provoked negative reactions from the audience, leading to backlash and prohibition. Over the years, Indian cinema has banned numerous movies, and below we list a few of them.

1. ‘Kama Sutra: A Tale Of Love’

In a somewhat contradictory action, the film 'Kama Sutra – A Tale Of Love' also found itself in the crosshairs of the Censor Board, which labelled it as 'explicit,' 'unethical,' and 'immoral' for the very audience residing in the nation that gave birth to the Kama Sutra concept. Centred on the romantic entanglements of four individuals in the 16th century, the movie faced a ban due to its explicit sexual content.

2. ‘Bandit Queen’

‘Bandit Queen’ was blatantly deemed 'offensive,' 'vulgar,' and 'indecent,' almost mocking the cinematic conservatism of the Indian censor board. Shekhar Kapur's film, based on the life of Phoolan Devi, faced a ban primarily because of its explicit sexual content, nudity, and use of abusive language—elements that the Censor Board clearly found difficult to accept or approve.

Don't Miss:Here Are Movies That You Can Watch If You Are A Bride-To-Be This Wedding Season

3. ‘Fire’

Deepa Mehta's film created a series of controversies for the renowned filmmaker. ‘Fire’ received widespread acclaim internationally, but within India, it sparked anger and intense debate. Hindu groups were particularly upset by the film's subject matter, which explored a lesbian relationship between two sisters-in-law within a Hindu family. The film's stars, Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, along with their director, Deepa Mehta, even faced death threats. Although the film initially made it to theatres, it was later withdrawn due to numerous protests. Several years later, in 1999, the film was re-released without any edits or cuts.

4. ‘Sins’

‘Sins’ is an explicit exploration of the life of a Kerala priest who becomes captivated by a woman and engages in a sexual relationship with her. The film delves into themes of obsession, lust, and his internal conflicts with the societal norms of his environment. However, ‘Sins’ faced significant backlash from the Catholic community, as they believed the film portrayed their religion in a highly immoral manner. Additionally, the Censor Board raised objections to the nude scenes in the movie, ultimately preventing its release. As a result, the film was never able to see the light of day.

Don't Miss:From Jailer To A Time Called You, 5 Binge-Worthy OTT Releases To Watch This Week

5. ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’

The movie generated considerable attention and underwent over seventy cuts before its release. However, it was eventually banned due to its exploration of female desire and the inclusion of highly explicit scenes. The film centred around four female characters of varying ages and portrays their uninhibited exploration of their own sexual desires.