Kanu Behl, director of the rare Hindi film Agra—noted for its frontal nudity—has finally addressed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cuts that sparked controversy. Speaking exclusively to Bollywood Hungama after the film struggled to secure sufficient cinema screenings nationwide, Behl shared his experience with the censor board.“
I can only speak about my film’s context,” Kanu said. “Thankfully, I faced no pushback from the censors. They were very kind and loved the film. Any changes made were at my own discretion. The board only asked me to cut three shots involving nudity. They told me, ‘We love the film and don’t want to cut anything. It’s very important. We are giving you an adult certificate, but even with that, nudity and profanity aren’t allowed.’”Kanu further explained, “I managed to convince them about two of those shots by explaining their significance, making minor edits accordingly.
Ultimately, only one shot was removed. The filmmakers also agreed to remove abusive language, which I accepted without protest, as challenging that would have been a larger structural battle beyond the committee’s scope. They were very transparent throughout, and I appreciated their honesty.”
When asked about his upcoming projects, Kanu remained focused on Agra’s journey: “It’s too early to discuss my next film. I’m not giving up—I want to keep fighting for more screenings for Agra. My priority is to ensure this film receives the space it deserves. I also hope to ignite a broader conversation about independent cinema.
The current system favors a monopoly of bland, infantilized films designed purely to entertain, gradually squeezing out anything that falls outside that narrow mold.” Kanu Behl’s candid remarks shed light on the nuanced dynamics between independent filmmakers and the censorship system, highlighting his determination to push boundaries both on screen and in the industry.
