Satluj to Jana Nayagan: 6 films that fought censorship battles over political rows

Political themes have often landed films in trouble with the censor board and various authorities. From Satluj to Jana Nayagan, these six films sparked debates that went far beyond the big screen.

In Short

• Satluj faced 127 CBFC cuts over political and religious content
• Jana Nayagan delayed due to political objections and leaked online
• Black Friday faced court stay, released after three years

From political dramas to real-life stories, several films have faced major challenges before reaching audiences. While some battled censor board cuts, others faced protests, legal hurdles and political opposition. From singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, here are six films that became part of major censorship battles.

Satluj

Singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh’s biopic film Satluj (originally titled Punjab '95) has sparked a major debate over freedom of speech, censorship and political sensitivity. Based on activist Jaswant Singh Khalra’s life, the film focuses on his investigation into thousands of alleged illegal cremations by Punjab Police in the 1990s.

The film faced one of the biggest censorship battles in recent years, with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reportedly demanding 127 cuts. The board asked for the removal of the protagonist’s real name, references to Punjab Police, locations like Tarn Taran, and scenes featuring Gurbani. It also raised concerns that the unedited version could radicalise youth.

In 2023, production house RSVP Movies approached the Bombay High Court against the CBFC’s demands but later withdrew the petition to explore other release options. The film also received support from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), while facing criticism from state authorities.

The controversy escalated when the filmmakers attempted to stream the uncut version on ZEE5 using a loophole under the IT Rules 2021. However, within 48 hours, the central government cited national security concerns and the film was removed from the platform. Its release remains uncertain.

Jana Nayagan

CM Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan faced a delay after objections were raised over its political content. The film was originally scheduled to release on 9 January 2026, but a CBFC examining committee member reportedly raised concerns over its themes.

The controversy gained more attention after Vijay’s political entry and his victory in elections, followed by him becoming Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister. After a month-long legal battle, the producers withdrew their court petition and sent the H Vinoth directorial to the CBFC Revising Committee.

In April 2026, an HD print of the film leaked online from an editing suite. The leak reportedly resulted in 1.2 crore illegal views and led to multiple arrests, including that of a freelance editor.

In July 2026, a viral ‘A’ certificate claiming the film had a three-hour runtime and cuts to violence and a character named “Collector Shanmugam” was found to be fake. The certificate was reportedly forged using details from Vijay’s 2023 film Leo.

The film, which also stars Mamitha Baiju, Bobby Deol and Pooja Hegde, is still awaiting certification before its theatrical release.

Black Friday

Anurag Kashyap’s Black Friday (2004) faced a long battle due to its portrayal of the 1993 Bombay blasts and the links between crime, communal violence and corruption.

Although the CBFC eventually granted the film an Adults-Only (‘A’) certificate, it demanded cuts to several intense scenes, including portions showing police brutality and interrogation methods.

The biggest setback came when the Bombay High Court stayed the film’s release just eight days before its scheduled January 2005 release. The court observed that the film could affect the ongoing TADA terror trials.

The film remained stuck for nearly three years before the Supreme Court allowed its theatrical release in February 2007.

The Kashmir Files

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files faced debates over its portrayal of the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits and concerns around its impact on communal harmony.

In early 2022, the CBFC granted the film an ‘A’ certificate after a two-month dispute. The board ordered seven cuts, including changing “JNU” to “ANU” and removing certain political visuals and profanity.

The film also faced scrutiny internationally. In March 2022, the British Board of Film Classification passed it uncut with a 15 rating. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s classification body initially halted screenings before changing the rating from R16 to R18.

On May 9, 2022, Singapore’s IMDA refused certification and banned the film, citing concerns over possible religious tensions.

Kissa Kursi Ka

Filmmaker Amrit Nahata’s political satire Kissa Kursi Ka remains one of the most controversial censorship cases in Indian cinema history.

Submitted for certification in April 1975, the film faced 51 objections from the CBFC due to its satirical portrayal of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi.

After the declaration of the Emergency in June 1975, the film was banned and its prints were confiscated. The master negatives were later seized from the CBFC office and destroyed at the Maruti factory in Gurgaon, making the original version permanently unavailable.

After the Emergency ended and the Congress government lost power in March 1977, director Amrit Nahata remade the film with a new cast, including Shabana Azmi, Raj Babbar and Utpal Dutt.

The new version also faced censorship issues and received 25 cuts before finally releasing in theatres on 16 February 1978.

Emergency

Politician and actor Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency faced delays due to objections from Sikh organisations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, over its portrayal of historical events and concerns about the representation of the Sikh community.

The controversy intensified after death threats were issued to CBFC members, leading to further delays in certification.

Co-producer Zee Entertainment Enterprises approached the Bombay High Court seeking clearance for the film. Eventually, the makers agreed to cuts suggested by the CBFC revising committee, and the film received a U/A certificate.

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