Mumbai, India – August 10, 2025: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has ordered significant edits to the highly anticipated Bollywood film War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji and starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani. The film, set to release globally on August 14, 2025, has undergone scrutiny by the CBFC, resulting in the trimming of several scenes, including a much-discussed bikini sequence featuring Kiara Advani in the romantic song Aavan Jaavan.
According to reports, the CBFC’s Revising Committee cleared War 2 with a U/A 16+ certification on August 6, 2025, after mandating multiple changes. Sources indicate that the board instructed the filmmakers to reduce sensual visuals by approximately 50%, specifically targeting a nine-second segment of Kiara Advani’s bikini scene, which had garnered significant attention following the release of the film’s teaser on May 20, 2025. Additionally, the CBFC required the muting of six inappropriate references in the audio and visual sections, the replacement of an obscene line of dialogue, and the removal of an obscene gesture by a character. No alterations were made to the film’s action sequences, preserving the high-octane confrontations between Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, which are central to the narrative.
The runtime of War 2 was initially certified at 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 49 seconds. However, on August 8, the filmmakers voluntarily reduced it to 2 hours, 51 minutes, and 44 seconds, potentially to streamline the viewing experience and address CBFC concerns. The edits have sparked discussions among fans, particularly regarding Kiara Advani’s bikini shots, which had gone viral on social media after the teaser’s release, overshadowing even the star power of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.
War 2 is the sixth installment in Yash Raj Films’ spy universe, following hits like Pathaan and Tiger 3. The film features Hrithik Roshan reprising his role as Major Kabir Dhaliwal, pitted against Jr NTR, who makes his Bollywood debut as an unnamed antagonist. Kiara Advani, in her first collaboration with Yash Raj Films, plays a fierce, action-oriented character, with promotional materials emphasizing her role as more than just a glamorous addition to the cast. The film’s trailer, released on July 25, 2025, highlighted a dance face-off between Hrithik and Jr NTR, alongside a climactic tease introducing Alia Bhatt and Sharvari’s Alpha and a post-credit scene featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, and Ranbir Kapoor.
The CBFC’s decision has reignited debates about censorship in Indian cinema, with some fans expressing disappointment over the cuts to Kiara Advani’s scenes, which had been a focal point of the film’s marketing. Others argue that the edits align with the board’s responsibility to regulate content for a broad audience. Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the bikini shots has only heightened anticipation for War 2, which is expected to compete at the box office with Rajinikanth’s Coolie upon its release.
Directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced by Aditya Chopra, War 2 promises a blend of high-stakes action, emotional depth, and intricate storytelling. As the countdown to its theatrical release begins, all eyes are on whether the film will live up to the hype generated by its star-studded cast and the YRF spy universe’s legacy.
