Disha Patani bikini shots, Kashmir reference among 18 cuts in Welcome to The Jungle

Welcome to the Jungle received a UA 16+ certificate after the censor board ordered 18 cuts and changes. The revisions removed politically sensitive dialogue and trimmed sensual visuals ahead of the film's June 26 release.

In Short

• Akshay Kumar's Welcome to the Jungle was granted U/A 16+ certificate by CBFC
• The censor board suggested 18 cuts to the film
• Several sensual scenes were also trimmed or deleted

As Welcome to the Jungle finally gears up for release after facing multiple production delays, the film has undergone significant modifications at the hands of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The comedy entertainer, directed by Ahmed Khan, has been granted a UA 16+ certificate, but only after the board asked for 18 cuts and changes, including the removal of references to Kashmir and edits to certain scenes featuring Disha Patani and Jacqueline Fernandez.

According to a report by Variety India, the CBFC objected to several dialogues and terms it considered politically sensitive or potentially offensive. References such as “paani of Kashmir” (Kasmir's water) and “desh ki tatti” (The nation's crap) were reportedly deleted, while military-related terms including “Gorkha Regiment” and “General” were replaced with more generic alternatives like “Tum army se ho?” (Are you from the army?) and “Officer/Sir.”

The board also sought modifications to a few dialogues. The phrase “Kaala paida hua hai koyla hai” (He was born dark, he's just a piece of coal) was changed to “saadah paida hua hai namoona hua hai,” (He was born fair, but he's just an oddball) while “yaad karo kurbani muh me bhar lo paani” (Remember the sacrifice, now stuff your mouth with water)." was altered to “suno sunata hoon kahani jo shaheed hone jaa raha tha, uske muh mein bharlo paanii (Listen to this story: the guy who was on his way to becoming a martyr, go fill his mouth with water).

Additionally, the character name “Azarudden” was reportedly changed to “Allaudin,” and the word “screwed” was removed from subtitles in two instances.

Apart from these dialogue modifications, the censor board also directed the makers to remove sensual content. This included bikini shots, close-up visuals of women's hips, and certain hip-movement sequences in a song. The board also sought the removal of a few sensual shots featuring Disha Patani and Jacqueline Fernandez. Additionally, a scene showing a vulgar hand gesture was replaced with a close-up shot of actor Vindu Dara Singh.

Following the implementation of the requested changes, Welcome To The Jungle was granted its censor certificate on June 20. According to the certification details, the film has a runtime of 164.50 minutes, which translates to 2 hours, 44 minutes and 50 seconds.

The film, which boasts a massive ensemble cast led by Akshay Kumar, also stars Suniel Shetty, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Farida Jalal, Johny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor and Rajpal Yadav.

Produced jointly by Firoz A Nadiadwallah, Rakesh Dang, and Vedant Vikaas Baali, Welcome to the Jungle is slated to release in theatres on June 26.

- Ends