06 June,2026 03:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
A still from Bandar (Picture via Instagram)
Bobby Deol's much-discussed film Bandar has found itself at the center of a fresh controversy shortly after its theatrical release. While the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had reportedly directed several modifications before granting the film a certificate, moviegoers and social media users are now claiming that many of those changes were not reflected in the version currently playing in theatres.
The debate gained momentum after a social media post alleged that the makers had released a version that retained several objectionable words and scenes despite the censor board's directives. The post claimed that many of the cuss words flagged by the CBFC were neither muted nor replaced in the theatrical cut.
The controversy is particularly notable because reports about the film's certification process had earlier revealed that the CBFC had sought multiple changes before clearing the project. According to reports, several expletives and abusive terms were ordered to be replaced with milder alternatives. Certain dialogues were reportedly modified, while a few references considered sensitive were also altered to comply with certification guidelines.
Among the reported changes were the replacement of explicit abuses with comparatively harmless words and the modification of select dialogues. The film eventually received certification after the makers reportedly agreed to implement the required cuts and alterations.
However, viewers who watched Bandar during its opening weekend have taken to social media claiming that a significant number of those censored words remain intact in the theatrical version. Several users have shared posts alleging that the film appears substantially similar to its pre-certification version. Some even described it as an "uncensored cut" and encouraged others to watch it in cinemas before any further action is taken.
As of now, neither the CBFC nor the film's producers have issued an official statement addressing the allegations. There has also been no confirmation regarding whether the theatrical version currently screening across cinemas differs from the version approved by the certification board.
The claims have nevertheless generated considerable curiosity around the film, which opened to modest box-office numbers despite receiving praise from sections of critics and audiences. The ongoing debate has also reignited conversations about censorship, creative freedom, and the practical enforcement of CBFC directives after certification.
Until an official clarification emerges from either the board or the filmmakers, the allegations remain unverified. However, the discussion surrounding Bobby Deol's Bandar has ensured that the film continues to dominate conversations both online and offline.
