Anurag Kashyap Slams CBFC Over Anti-Smoking Warnings During Screenings of Global Hit ‘Sinners’

Anurag Kashyap criticizes CBFC over health warnings during 'Sinners' screenings. The global hit has grossed $175M and sparked debate on cinematic immersion.

Anurag Kashyap has once again found himself at odds with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). After the recent controversy surrounding his film 'Phule', the 'Gangs of Wasseypur' director is now targeting the board over the mandatory health disclaimers displayed during the screenings of the global blockbuster 'Sinners'.

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Anurag Kashyap has once again found himself at odds with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). After the recent controversy surrounding his film 'Phule', the 'Gangs of Wasseypur' director is now targeting the board over the mandatory health disclaimers displayed during the screenings of the global blockbuster 'Sinners'.

In a conversation with IndieWire, Kashyap expressed his frustration with the intrusive anti-smoking and anti-alcohol disclaimers, which have also left many viewers disappointed.

Anurag Kashyap slams Censor Board over Sinners

“In a mood piece such as 'Sinners', these disclaimers on smoking and drinking yank the audience out of the immersive experience that the filmmaker had painstakingly created, killing the mood and build-up in the process,” he said.

Kashyap's comments have struck a chord with audiences. Viewers on X (formerly Twitter) and other social media platforms echoed his sentiments, calling the disclaimers "arbitrary" and "disruptive" to the cinematic experience.

When Kashyap criticised the board over the same issue many years ago

This isn’t the first time the filmmaker has clashed with the CBFC over the same issue. Nearly a decade ago, Kashyap took legal action against the board’s requirement to include smoking disclaimers in his film Ugly. However, the case was drawn out in court. In the meantime, the film was leaked online, forcing him to release the official version with the mandated warnings.

Meanwhile, 'Sinners' — the Hollywood horror film at the center of the latest controversy — has become a global sensation. The film is being widely praised for its layered exploration of racism, segregation, and religion through the lens of horror. It has so far grossed $175 million worldwide, making it the sixth highest-grossing film of 2025.

'Sinners' features an impressive ensemble cast including Jack O'Connell, Delroy Lindo, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, and Saul Williams. The story follows twins Smoke and Stack as they return to their hometown in Mississippi in search of a fresh start, only to encounter an ancient evil — vampires — that forces them to confront their past and present horrors.