Marvel Studios’ upcoming superhero film Thunderbolts has been cleared for release in India with a UA rating, but not without alterations. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) directed Star Studios, the film’s Indian distributor, to mute several swear words to avoid an 'A' (adults-only) certification.
The CBFC’s edits were limited to the film’s audio, with no visual cuts mandated. Action sequences and other visuals remain untouched, preserving the movie’s intended cinematic experience. The muted terms include “a*s,” “a-hole,” “d**k,” “b***h,” and “prick” — the last of which is generally not classified as strong profanity in many English-speaking markets, making its inclusion notable.
Sources familiar with the process said Star Studios considered challenging the audio changes but ultimately chose compliance to maintain the broader teenage demographic essential for theatrical, satellite, and digital success. By contrast, Thunderbolts received PG-13 ratings in the United States and a 12A certificate in the United Kingdom without any censorial adjustments.
Starring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, and David Harbour, Thunderbolts brings together some of Marvel's most complex antiheroes and is one of the studio’s most anticipated releases of the year.
The censor certificate was issued on April 23, with a final runtime of 127 minutes. Thunderbolts is set to open soon in India, featuring a slightly “cleaner” audio mix for audiences under 18, but otherwise intact in spirit and spectacle.