CBFC Orders Cuts in Two Scenes of The Raja Saab, Film Receives U/A 16+ Certificate

Prabhas-starrer The Raja Saab, one of the most awaited pan-India releases of the year, has officially received clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). However, the censor board has ordered modifications in two scenes before granting the film a U/A 16+ certificate.

Following the massive success of films like Baahubali, Salaar, and Kalki 2898 AD, Prabhas is now gearing up for the release of his horror-comedy The Raja Saab, directed by Maruthi. The film stars Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, and Zarina Wahab, and is scheduled for a pan-India theatrical release on January 9 in five languages, including Hindi.

According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the CBFC did not object to the film’s dialogues, romantic sequences, or lighter moments, allowing them to remain intact without any cuts. However, the board raised concerns over two scenes involving graphic violence and bloodshed.

Details of the CBFC Cuts

One of the scenes showing blood being washed off the floor was flagged by the censor board. Instead of removing the sequence entirely, the makers modified it by converting the visuals into monochrome, presenting the scene in black and white rather than in color.

In another sequence depicting the beheading of a character, the CBFC instructed the makers to reduce its duration. As a result, the scene was trimmed by approximately four seconds and transformed into quick flash visuals to reduce its impact.

Certification and Runtime

After these changes, The Raja Saab was granted a U/A 16+ certificate, making it suitable for viewers above the age of 16 with parental guidance. The final runtime of the film stands at 189 minutes, which is approximately 3 hours and 9 minutes.

Box Office Clash Ahead

Despite securing censor clearance, the makers face a significant box-office challenge. The Raja Saab is set to clash with Tamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay’s much-anticipated final film Jana Nayagan (released in Hindi as Jana Neta), which has a runtime of around 3 hours and 3 minutes. With both films releasing around the same time, the clash is expected to intensify competition at the box office.

With censor hurdles now cleared, all eyes are on how The Raja Saab performs amid high expectations, star power, and a major theatrical showdown.