Last month, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India issued a list of English and Hindi cuss words that were to be banned. Now the Censor Board has asked the filmmakers of Dum Laga Ke Haisha to mute the word 'lesbian' from the movie, reports Indian Express.

The word is used in a scene where the female lead, Bhumi Pednekar’s character, Sandhya is consoled by her lawyer.

Read: F for fat: A documentary and a feature film examine what it means to be a large woman

Film director Ashok Pandit, who is also a member of the Censor Board, has expressed his despair over such restrictions.

Talking to Huffington Post India, Pandit added: "This entire thing makes no sense. To mute the word 'lesbian' as though it is a swear word is to disrespect the feelings of the entire LGBT community and this decision doesn't seem to be in accordance with any rules of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which is followed by the examining committees who rate the film."

Many people have taken to social media to share their disappointment:

The romantic comedy film has been directed by Sharat Katariya and stars Ayushmann Khurana and Bhumi Pednekar in lead roles, featuring Kumar Sanu in a cameo.

Opinion

Editorial

Taliban support
Updated 14 Aug, 2026

Taliban support

THE latest UN monitoring report analysing the activities of several transnational terrorist groups is unequivocal in...
Job policy for youth
14 Aug, 2026

Job policy for youth

STRIPPED of its rhetoric, the prime minister’s announcement of Pakistan’s first National Youth Employment Policy...
Jail improvements
14 Aug, 2026

Jail improvements

THE Punjab government is spending Rs5bn on modernising jail facilities in the province, but to what end? The...
AJK outlook
Updated 13 Aug, 2026

AJK outlook

AS the staggered polls for the AJK Legislative Assembly enter their final stretch, it appears that the PML-N is in a...
Food costs
13 Aug, 2026

Food costs

THE State Bank’s warning that domestic food prices could rise more than expected in the near term deserves urgent...
Denied a future
13 Aug, 2026

Denied a future

FIVE years after the Taliban returned to Kabul, the world is still issuing statements while a generation of Afghan...