List of films banned in India
This is a list of films that have been or are banned in India. This list includes titles that were refused a rating by the Central Board of Film Certification initially or permanently. The list also includes films whose release or production was or are blocked by the central or a state government, or by a legal institution. Also included are films which faced a virtual ban, after theatre owners were compelled to stop screening by non-government groups.
Nationwide
Regional
Provinces of British India
- 1921 – Bhakta Vidur: Banned in Karachi and Madras for political reasons. the film came right after Jallianwala Bagh massacre and Rowlatt Act. The character Vidura was moulded upon personality of Mahatma Gandhi.
- 1939 – Thyagabhoomi: Banned in Madras, 22 weeks after release for supporting Congress, independence movement.
Andhra Pradesh
- 2006 – The Da Vinci Code: It was banned after some Christians and Muslims who took offence protested. Later, the ban was lifted by the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
- 2011 – Aarakshan: It was banned on 11 August 2011 due to concerns that it may hurt weaker sections of the society. On 14 August 2011, the ban was revoked.
Assam
- 1952 – Runumi: The film was suddenly banned by then Government of Assam headed by chief minister Bishnuram Medhi due to some unknown reason.
- 2005 – Tango Charlie: The film was allegedly poorly researched and defamed the Bodo community.
Chhattisgarh
- 2015 – MSG-2 The Messenger :Film was banned in Chhattisgarh for hurting sentiments of Adivasi community.
Goa
- 2006 – The Da Vinci Code: It was banned considering "public sentiments" after protests by Christian organisations.
Gujarat
- 2005 – Chand Bhuj Gaya: This film which was set with the Godhra train burning as a backdrop was not released in Gujarat.
- 2006 – Fanaa: It faced an unofficial ban due to the role of Aamir Khan, the lead actor, in the Narmada Bachao Andolan. Supreme Court of India directed that theatres wanting to screen the film should be provided police protection. But, most theatre owners decided not to screen it.
- 2007 – Parzania: Parzania faced an unofficial ban after Bajrang Dal coaxed theatre owners to stop screening the film. Bajrang Dal activist Babu Bajrangi, who was later incarcerated for murder, conspiracy and spreading hatred in Naroda Patiya massacre of Gujarat riots, had the opinion that it may disrupt communal harmony in the state.
- 2009 – Firaaq: Firaaq was allegedly not released by many theatres due to political pressure because it depicted the 2002 Gujarat riots. But, theatre owners cited a revenue sharing dispute.
- 2017 – Padmaavat: Following controversies and threats of violence made by Rajput caste organization Shri Rajput Karni Sena.
Haryana
- 2017 – Padmaavat: Following controversies and threats of violence made by Rajput caste organization Shri Rajput Karni Sena.
Jharkhand
- 2015 – MSG-2 The Messenger : Film was banned in Jharkhand for hurting sentiments of Adivasi community.
Kerala
- 2012 – Pithavinum Puthranum : The film originally completed in 2012 is awaiting approval from the Censor Board as of January 2015. The film was reported based on a book by Sister Jesme and the Sister Abhaya murder case.
- 2015 – Chayam Poosiya Veedu : The film was not given a certificate since there was a nude scene in it.
Madhya Pradesh
- 2008 – Jodhaa Akbar: The film was banned after protests from the Rajput community over Jodha Bai's depiction as Akbar's wife. The Supreme Court later lifted the ban.
- 2015 – MSG-2 The Messenger: The film was banned as it was an insult to Adivasis.
Maharashtra
- 2008 – Deshdrohi: The film was banned in November fearing breakdown of law and order in the state. The film depicted the attacks against North Indians in the state. The ban was lifted in January 2009 by the Bombay High Court.
Nagaland
- 2006 – The Da Vinci Code: It was banned for portraying Jesus Christ and Christians in an 'objectionable' manner.
Punjab
- 2006 – The Da Vinci Code: Chief Minister Amarinder Singh banned the film after an appeal by the Punjabi Roman Catholic leaders.
- 2011 – Aarakshan: On 11 August 2011, the film was banned for hurting the feelings of the weaker sections of the society. But, the ban was lifted on 14 August 2011 after a preview screening.
- 2013 – Sadda Haq: On 4 April, Punjabi film Sadda Haq was banned in Punjab by the state government. The ban was lifted by the Supreme Court on 28 April 2013, after a special screening in the court.
- 2013 – Oh My Pyo Ji: The Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the release of the on the request of a producer due the dispute between two producers.
- 2015 – : The Punjab government banned Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's film in the state.
- 2015 – Nanak Shah Fakir: In April 2015, Punjab government and Chandigarh administration suspended the screening of Nanak Shah Fakir for two months.
- 2015 – MSG-2 The Messenger: On the release day, the film was banned by Mansa administration in Punjab but ban was lifted later. However, movie theatres owners refused to screen movie in Punjab citing law and order problems.
- 2016 – Santa Banta Pvt Ltd: The film was banned by the state government for portraying Sikhs in a denigrating and defamatory manner.
Rajasthan
- 2008 – Jodhaa Akbar: The film was not released after theatre owners received letters written in blood from Karni Sena.
- 2017 – Padmaavat: Following controversies and threats of violence made by Rajput caste organization Shri Rajput Karni Sena.
Tamil Nadu
- 1987 – Ore Oru Gramathiley: It banned for criticizing caste based reservations. The Supreme Court of India later allowed its release.
- 2006 – The Da Vinci Code: It was banned after concerns that it may hurt religious sentiments. Later, Madras High Court allowed its screening.
- 2011 – Dam 999: It was banned for allegedly spreading fear among people regarding the Mullaperiyar Dam.
- 2013 – Vishwaroopam: The film was banned after objections were expressed by Muslim groups regarding the portrayal of the Muslim community in a bad light. The movie was later released after seven scenes were cut.
- 2013 – Madras Cafe: The film, which is set in the backdrop of the Sri Lankan Civil War, was not released in the state after several groups protested that the film portrayed the Tamil Tigers in a bad light.
- 2014 – Inam – Ceylon: The film, which is set in the backdrop of the Sri Lankan Civil War, was not released in the state after several groups protested that the film portrayed the Tamil Tigers in a bad light.
Uttar Pradesh
- 2007 – Aaja Nachle : The movie was banned because the lyrics of the title song was allegedly humiliating the Dalits. The lyrics were later changed. The ban was lifted later after the producers apologized.
- 2008 – Jodhaa Akbar : The film was banned fearing breach of peace after protests from a Rajput group. The Supreme Court later lifted the ban.
- 2011 – Aarakshan : It had been banned due to objectionable dialogues. Later, Supreme Court lifted the ban. The film was based on the topic of reservations in jobs and education.
West Bengal
- 1992 – City of Joy : The shooting was banned in Calcutta for a while due to negative portrayal of the city.
- 2013 – Kangal Malsat : In February 2013, a revising committee of the CBFC refused to pass the film citing excessive use of abusive language, sexuality and frivolous approach in portraying of social movements. The film was cleared later by the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal after some edits.