New Delhi: 007 cannot kiss for too long in India, thanks to the dictates of chief censor Pahlaj Nihalani had also “unofficially” reviewed the film “Spectre” and suggested the cutting the length of the kissing scenes!

In yet another ‘nanny act’, Indian censors have shortened the lengths of two kissing scenes in the latest James Bond movie Spectre and deleted two ‘swear’ words to suit the new ‘obscenity codes’.

A source in Nihalani’s office said the chief felt that under the obscenity codes, long kissing sequences should not be permitted. “He, therefore, wanted the lengths of the scenes shortened by half, which enabled the film to get a UA certificate.”

A senior board member said it was unfortunate that the CBFC had become a “laughing stock” because of one man. “We have been shouting at the top of our voices that it is not the chairperson’s job to micro-manage the approval of each and every film or make senseless changes, but he just does not care,” said Nandini Sardesai.

“In cases like this, the saddest bit is that the filmmakers or producers – in their hurry to release films – don’t even protest or appeal for a revision. I hope that people sitting in the Union information and broadcasting ministry take note of the ridiculous situation and do something about it.”

Some members, it is learnt, resented Nihalani’s intervention. Though the chief, according to the norms, cannot be a part of the examining committee or even the revising committee, except in extraordinary circumstances, Nihalani watches almost every big-banner film ‘informally’ and goes over the heads of the committee, it is said.

Nihalani claims it was the committee that had recommended the changes in keeping with cinematography guidelines. “I do my job to guide and supervise the panel members and tell them to follow the norms in letter and spirit, but it is they who suggested the deletions,” the censor chief, who took over early this year, said.

The film’s distributor is Sony Pictures, and its marketing manager Anjali Malhotra said “it was a routine thing that happens with most of the films in India”.

The board, particularly Nihalani, was lampooned on social networking sites today and the hashtag #SanskariJamesBond remained one of the top trends on Twitter for a good part of the day.

“#SanskariJamesBond seduces women by lighting agarbattis in his bedroom and then introduces them to his Mom,” tweeted one Purba Ray.

“#SanskariJamesBond only goes out with a Bond girl after getting her Babuji’s aashirwad,” another tweeted..

Spectre – the 24th film in the James Bond Franchise – has already grossed $542 million, more than double its production cost, within three weeks of its release in the US and the UK.

The film, directed by Sam Mendes, also stars Monica Belluci and Cristoph Waltz.

Nihalani had earlier drawn flak from filmmakers for his scissor-happy ways and his list of banned cuss words that has now been withdrawn.

Ashok Pandit, another board member, took to Twitter to express his displeasure. “#Spectre is an internationally applauded film, bt again #PahlajNihalani messes it up by shading it with his own thought process,” he wrote.

“Never saw the signature of the Chairman on the Censor Certificates. But #PahlajNihalani makes it a point to do that. #JamesBond #CBFC,” Pandit wrote in another tweet.

  007, Media