'Singham Again' set for Diwali: CBFC trims Ramayan bits in film, grants U/A rating

‘Singham Again’ is all set for Diwali, promising the ultimate box office showdown as the Ajay Devgn-starrer faces off against Kartik Aaryan's ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’.

In this latest installment of Rohit Shetty's Cop Universe, elements inspired by the Ramayana have been woven into the storyline, sparking major anticipation among fans.

However, recent reports reveal that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has made several recommendations for changes before granting the film a U/A certificate.

According to Bollywood Hungama, the CBFC has directed cuts totalling 7.12 minutes, spread throughout the movie.

Among the most notable modifications are the ‘match cut’ visuals, where characters like Singham, Avni, and Simmba were initially shown as counterparts to Lord Rama, Sita Mata, and Lord Hanuman. These cuts were reduced by 23 seconds each. Additionally, a 23-second scene showing Singham in a symbolic gesture of touching Lord Rama's feet was also modified.

Another prominent cut involved a 16-second scene portraying Raavan ‘grabbing, pulling, and pushing Sita,’ which the board asked to be removed.

Additionally, a 29-second segment involving Hanuman and a humorous scene with Simmba were deleted.

The CBFC also removed a 26-second dialogue and related visuals, citing concerns about the portrayal's impact on India's diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries; notably, part of Singham Again is set in Sri Lanka.

To address the mythical references, the CBFC instructed the filmmakers to include a disclaimer clarifying that Singham Again is purely a work of fiction. The disclaimer adds that while the story may draw inspiration from Ramayana, it doesn’t feature revered deities but rather contemporary characters with no ties to real societies or cultural practices.

With the cuts implemented, Singham Again now clocks in at 2 hours and 24 minutes. This latest chapter features an impressive lineup including Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff, making it the fifth installment in Rohit Shetty's acclaimed Cop Universe.

Also Watch | Sonu Nigam keeps the vibes alive as man charges at him during concert; fans laud singer