Bond: No kissing please. We’re Indian

That’s right. James Bond in his current avatar, simply kisses too much for the tastes of the Indian censor board, and so they have been reduced in length. She pointed out that Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone love story, Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela, which had been passed with a U/A certificate, had a really long kiss in the climax while several expletives had been allowed in Titli. “After that it was pulled out of the theatres and ministry re-referred the board and the commendable part was they re-released it without a single cut”, said the national award winning actress. “Our work is for censoring the movie according to the rating of the film so we have done that”.

“Yes, this decision [to cut kissing scenes]was taken by Pahlaj Nihalani”. “He does these kind of things”, Mr Pandit told BBC Hindi.

“This seems like a joke”.

Pandit also expresses his frustration on Twitter and draw a clear line between his and Nihalani’s stance.

“Nihalani’s action should not be a reflection of my choices”.

Along with criticism of the Indian film censor board, numerous satirical memes have also been making the rounds on the internet, including one of Daniel Craig sporting a lush Indian moustache and tilak (forehead markings).

Actor Emraan Hashmi, who has earned the tag of a serial-kisser in Bollywood, found the ban amusing. But he’ll have to cut back on the kissing-by exactly half.

As we figure later in the film, Oberhauser has a few personal issues with Bond and being the evil mastermind he is, Oberhauser throws obstacles in front of Bond, all of which Bond predictably overcomes, a few in truly thrilling fashion (the silent, larger than life Dave Bautista is effectively used here as Oberhauser’s main henchman).

Earlier this year the CBFC blocked the release of “Fifty Shades of Grey” in India, despite being shown a toned-down version of the erotic movie. “If you do this to a James Bond film, then it’s shameful”. The film will be released in theaters on Friday.

Instead, the blame goes towards the greatest villain in hiding – the studio system, who would rather have a product than a fully realized, living, breathing artistic entity. The hot trailer of Hate Story 3 was likewise gotten at this crossroads. The figures for Casino Royale, Craig’s first film as James Bond which opened in 2006 stands at Rs 42 crore say film trade analysts.

CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani was unavailable for comment. We finally get to know the big organisation that’s been using all the previous films’ villains as puppets. “We have become the laughing stock everywhere”.

November came crashing into theaters this weekend, finally pushing the lingering successes of a weak October out of the way and setting up what is likely to be one of the stronger holiday seasons at the box office.