Baaghi 4 Gets A Certificate After 23 CBFC Cuts
Baaghi 4, starring Tiger Shroff, receives ‘A’ certificate from CBFC after 23 cuts including violent, obscene and religiously sensitive scenes.
Tiger Shroff’s much-awaited action thriller Baaghi 4 has created waves even before its release, but this time not just for its stunts and action sequences. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has cleared the film with an ‘A’ (Adults Only) certificate after imposing 23 mandatory cuts. The decision has sparked discussion around censorship, cinematic freedom, and the depiction of violence in Bollywood. The film is now set to release worldwide on September 5, 2025, following both the board’s mandated edits and additional voluntary trims by the filmmakers themselves.
Table of Contents
CBFC Certification and Major Cuts
On August 26, 2025, CBFC’s Examining Committee reviewed Baaghi 4 and highlighted several sequences that were deemed problematic. Despite the film being granted an adult rating, the committee asked for 23 specific cuts across visuals and audio.
Visual Scenes Removed
- A sequence where the hero is shown standing on a coffin.
- A cigarette lit from a niranjan diya (oil lamp).
- A cigarette lit using an amputated hand.
- Frontal nudity, which was blurred.
- A knife thrown at a statue of Jesus Christ, and a fist attack causing the statue to lean.
- Several violent scenes including slitting throats, chopping hands, and sword fights.
- An 11-second ultra-gory clip and a shot showing a sword piercing a skull.
Audio Modifications
- Explicit and abusive terms like “bhang b*****a”, “b**e”, and “fingering” were muted.
- The word “condom” was silenced.
- The line “Woh bhi darta hai mujhse” was deleted.
Runtime Adjustments
Post mandatory CBFC edits, the film’s runtime stood at 163 minutes 50 seconds (2 hours 43 minutes 50 seconds). Interestingly, within three days, the filmmakers themselves opted for additional voluntary cuts, trimming 19 more scenes. On August 29, 2025, the final runtime was reduced by 6 minutes 45 seconds, leaving the final cut at 157 minutes 5 seconds (2 hours 37 minutes 5 seconds).
Background & Past Cases
The Baaghi franchise, starring Tiger Shroff, has always been associated with high-octane stunts, dramatic storylines, and intense action sequences. Since its inception in 2016, the series has attracted youth audiences for its adrenaline-driven content, but has also frequently brushed against controversy.
The CBFC’s approach toward violent and sexually explicit content has historically been a contentious subject. Over the years, several films, despite being rated for adults, were still subjected to heavy censoring. A parallel case can be drawn with Kabir Singh (2019), which faced criticism for glorifying toxic masculinity, though it largely escaped major cuts. On the other hand, Padmaavat (2018) underwent multiple alterations, including changes in dialogues and disclaimers to appease public sensitivities.
More recently, War 2 and The Bengal Files also witnessed post-certification voluntary cuts by the filmmakers. This emerging trend highlights a dual reality: while CBFC exercises its censorship authority, producers themselves are increasingly cautious, preemptively trimming scenes to avoid public backlash, religious sensitivities, or political controversies.
In the case of Baaghi 4, the cuts imposed reveal an emphasis on minimizing excessive gore and toning down potentially offensive religious or sexual references. This reflects an ongoing struggle in Indian cinema — balancing creative storytelling with sociocultural sensibilities.
Gangster History Angle
The Baaghi series often explores underworld and gangster-inspired narratives. The fourth installment is no different, with its storyline diving into a murky world of crime, betrayal, and rebellion. While the cuts made by CBFC were primarily about violence and obscenity, it’s important to note that gangster films in India have long been subjected to heavy scrutiny.
From Satya (1998) to Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), gangster films have been both celebrated for realism and criticized for excessive brutality. These films often serve as reflections of real-life crime syndicates, but their raw depiction of violence frequently clashes with CBFC guidelines.
Baaghi 4 continues this legacy — depicting bloody gang wars, vengeance, and underworld conflicts. However, CBFC’s insistence on sanitizing certain violent sequences raises a debate: does censorship dilute the authenticity of gangster cinema? Or does it protect audiences from graphic overexposure?
Public & Political Reactions
Public reaction to the cuts has been mixed. On one hand, hardcore fans of Tiger Shroff expressed disappointment, arguing that censoring gory action undermines the franchise’s core appeal. Social media platforms have seen hashtags like #JusticeForBaaghi4 and #CBFCTOOHARSH trending, with fans calling for greater creative freedom.
On the political front, some groups have welcomed CBFC’s strict stance, especially regarding religious sensitivities such as the attack on the Jesus statue and inappropriate use of devotional objects. For them, the board’s vigilance is necessary in a country as religiously diverse as India.
Film critics remain divided. While some say Indian cinema needs to evolve and match global standards where R-rated films depict unfiltered violence, others argue that the cuts help strike a balance between art and societal responsibility.
Social Media Trends
The news of CBFC’s 23 cuts for Baaghi 4 quickly became a trending topic on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Memes mocking the “condom dialogue cut” and the “cigarette with amputated hand” scene have gone viral. Fans, however, are worried if these edits will impact the raw appeal that makes the franchise special.
Influencers and film bloggers have also jumped into the debate. Some content creators praised the CBFC for curbing glorification of violence, while others criticized the board for stifling artistic freedom. On Instagram Reels, users created satirical skits imagining what the censored version of Baaghi 4 would look like — turning fight sequences into comical blur screens.
YouTube reviewers are predicting that the film, despite the cuts, will still open strong at the box office due to Tiger Shroff’s dedicated fanbase and the legacy of the franchise. However, they also hint that controversies could either boost curiosity or dampen excitement, depending on how audiences react to the edited content.
Expert Analysis
Film analysts suggest that CBFC’s decision is part of a broader pattern of over-regulation in Bollywood. While action films are globally celebrated for their realistic gore (for example, the John Wick franchise), Indian censors tend to shy away from showing such imagery, fearing public backlash.
Experts point out that even though Baaghi 4 was rated ‘A’, indicating that only adults can watch it, CBFC’s insistence on cuts shows a mistrust of adult audiences’ ability to decide for themselves. According to film critic Rajeev Masand, “Certification should guide viewers, not censor filmmakers. If an adult film still undergoes dozens of cuts, then the rating system itself loses meaning.”
Industry trade analysts also highlight the marketing angle: controversy often boosts a film’s publicity. The buzz around CBFC’s edits may actually generate higher curiosity for Baaghi 4, leading to stronger box office openings.
From a socio-political standpoint, censoring religious references reflects India’s sensitive climate. Any depiction perceived as disrespectful towards religious symbols risks outrage and protests. Hence, producers often preemptively tone down such content.
Timeline & Future Outlook
- August 26, 2025: CBFC certifies Baaghi 4 with an ‘A’ certificate, after 23 cuts.
- August 29, 2025: Producers voluntarily trim 19 more scenes, reducing runtime to 157 minutes 5 seconds.
- September 5, 2025: Scheduled worldwide release.
Looking ahead, the reception of Baaghi 4 will determine if the franchise maintains its action-heavy identity despite censorship. If audiences feel cheated by toned-down sequences, it may push filmmakers to rethink how far they can stretch violence and grit in mainstream cinema.
On the other hand, if the film succeeds commercially, it may validate the strategy of balancing violent storytelling with censor-compliant edits. Either way, Baaghi 4 is likely to remain a case study in the ongoing tug-of-war between creative freedom, censorship, and cultural sensitivity.
Conclusion
The saga of Baaghi 4 and its CBFC journey highlights the complex dynamics of modern Bollywood. With 23 board-mandated cuts, 19 voluntary trims, and a final runtime of 157 minutes, the film is now primed for release. Whether censorship undermines its raw intensity or fuels greater curiosity will only be revealed after September 5. One thing, however, is certain: the debate around censorship versus artistic freedom in Indian cinema is far from over.
For any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out via our Contact Page.
FAQs on Baaghi 4 and CBFC Cuts
Q1: Why did CBFC order 23 cuts in Baaghi 4 despite giving it an ‘A’ certificate?
CBFC demanded 23 cuts due to highly graphic violence, objectionable religious symbolism, and offensive dialogues. Scenes included throat-slitting, nudity, and attacks on religious statues, which were considered too extreme for theatrical release. Even with an ‘A’ rating, CBFC has the authority to ensure that films don’t cross cultural or moral boundaries.
Q2: What is the final runtime of Baaghi 4 after CBFC and voluntary cuts?
Initially, the film was 163 minutes 50 seconds long after CBFC’s mandated cuts. Later, the filmmakers themselves trimmed 19 more scenes, reducing the length by around 6 minutes 45 seconds. The final runtime now stands at approximately 157 minutes 5 seconds (2 hours 37 minutes).
Sources
