Most Violent Godzilla Ever Escapes an ‘A’ in India: Godzilla Minus Zero Gets U/A 16+ Despite R Rating Abroad

The most violent Godzilla film ever made will not carry an adults-only certificate in India. Bollywood Hungama reported on November 14 that Godzilla Minus Zero has received a U/A 16+ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification, with the censor process completed on November 13, according to the CBFC website. The decision stands in sharp contrast to the film’s reception overseas, where it received an R rating and equivalent adult classifications across most major international markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. The R rating — the first in the 72-year history of the Godzilla franchise — was given for violent content and bloody images, and it generated considerable excitement among fans and horror enthusiasts, who celebrated it as proof that the makers had gone all out with the depiction of violence. Director Takashi Yamazaki has said that certain scenes were so essential to the film that censoring them or cutting them was not an option for him. With the film not receiving an ‘A’ certificate in India, it remains to be seen whether the CBFC has passed the film without cuts or asked the makers to remove the disturbing shots. Bollywood Hungama noted that the reverse has often happened in India: films cleared for younger audiences overseas have received harsher ratings here, citing The Devil Wears Prada 2, which was passed with an ‘A’ certificate in India despite being cleared for all ages in most countries. Godzilla Minus Zero runs 137.25 minutes — 2 hours, 17 minutes and 35 seconds — as mentioned on its censor certificate. The sequel to the 2023 hit Godzilla Minus One will release in India on November 20, with PVR INOX Pictures handling the release, including IMAX screens. PVR INOX Pictures’ Nayana Bijli confirmed the November 20 India release to Bollywood Hungama on November 11.

Source: Bollywood Hungama