In a significant development for the Hindi film industry, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has granted the much-anticipated film “Bad Newz” a U/A rating. Directed by Anand Tiwari, this comedy features the talents of Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri, and Ammy Virk. However, it has come under scrutiny for three specific kissing sequences that span a total of 27 seconds.
The CBFC’s Examining Committee has recommended modifications for these intimate scenes, requesting alterations rather than outright deletions. Sources emphasize that no frames have been cut from the film, but the manner in which these scenes will be modified in the final print remains to be seen. Further, the board has advised altering the visual of a particular lip-lock scene, indicating a keenness to ensure that visual content aligns with guidelines, especially for films granted a U/A certification.
In addition to the changes in the kissing sequences, the CBFC has recommended a replacement of the disclaimer shown at the beginning of the film by the production team, which includes Karan Johar, Amritpal Singh Bindra, and Manish Menghani. They have also insisted on using a larger font size for the anti-alcohol consumption warning, intending to make the advisory more prominent to the audience. The final runtime of “Bad Newz” has been confirmed to be two hours and 22 minutes.
In another notable development within the Hindi film industry, actor Ayushmann Khurrana’s upcoming project “Vampires of Vijay Nagar” has encountered delays. Initially planned for a Valentine’s weekend release in 2025, the horror comedy directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Dinesh Vijan will now start filming only in November. The delay is attributed to scheduling conflicts, particularly Ayushmann’s commitments to a spy comedy backed by Karan Johar, and a substantial portion of JP Dutta’s “Border 2” with Sunny Deol. Rashmika Mandanna has replaced Samantha as the female lead due to the latter’s health issues. The fresh timeline suggests the horror comedy will now look at a release date towards the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, the trailer for “Ulajh,” a thriller directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Sudhanshu Saria, has generated considerable buzz. Starring Janhvi Kapoor as a young diplomat enmeshed in a complex conspiracy during a significant assignment, the film sees her delving into the enigma of the Indian Foreign Services.
. Sharing her experience, Janhvi said, “Working with Sudhanshu Saria has been incredibly enriching; he made me push my own boundaries. My character Suhana is strong and multi-dimensional, and I found a personal connection to some shades of her personality that enabled me to deliver an authentic performance.” The film also features talents like Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew, Adil Hussain, Rajesh Tailang, Meiyang Chang, Rajendra Gupta, and Jitendra Joshi and is scheduled for release on August 2.
In another realm of the industry, actress Purva Parag has expressed her excitement about her role in “Sarfira,” an upcoming film starring Akshay Kumar. Describing her experience on set, she shared, “Akshay sir’s energy level, discipline, and physical activeness are highly commendable. I learned a lot from him.” This marks her second collaboration with Radhika Madan, whom she previously worked with in “Kacchey Limbu” (2022). Recollecting their initial day on set, she noted, “Radhika looked at me and said, ‘I have seen you somewhere,’ but couldn’t recognize me. So, I told her, ‘Yes, I was your continuity mom from Kacche Limbu.’ She said I had changed a lot. She is a sincere girl, hardworking, and focused.”
Lastly, in an innovative move to distribute their work, the creators of “Fairy Folk,” a drama featuring Rasika Dugal and Mukul Chadda, have decided to release the film online on their official website. Directed by Karan Gaur, the film was initially released in theaters in March but is now available for viewers to watch online by paying any amount they deem fair. Rasika Dugal shared her thoughts on this distribution model, saying, “I feel proud that, with this film, we have tried something new every step of the way—from experimenting with an entirely improvised film to producing it ourselves, to securing a theatrical release for an indie film; and now, finding our own way to distribute it! I’m thrilled that we can now present our labour of love directly to audiences, allowing them to support us in a way that feels right to them.”
From the certification processes affecting “Bad Newz” to distribution innovations and project delays, this week has been eventful in the Hindi film industry, reflecting both the challenges and creative solutions being adopted by filmmakers and actors.
