Disney's The Jungle Book has been given a UA certificate by India's Censor Board of Film Certification after it was considered to be "scary" and "startling" for children.
This means that children below 12 years will have to be accompanied by an adult to watch the new version of the Rudyard Kipling novel which releases in India this Friday. The story has immense appeal in India, largely due to the popularity of the dubbed version of a Japanese animated TV series aired in the country.
"Please don't go by the reputation of the book. See the film and then decide on the suitability of the content for kids. The 3D effects are so scary that the animals seem to jump right at the audience. It's not just the story that determines the certification," CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani said.
The decision was criticised and questions by several Indian filmmakers and actors. "It is such a beautiful film. There is nothing in the film which will scare the kids," Vishal Bharadwaj, who was composed its lead song, was quoted as saying.
On Twitter, the decision led to a series of jokes.
Pahlaj Nihalani : The animals jump at you from the screen.
Every other person : Its called 3D, you idiot!— Sid Mathur (@BhaiBahutBadiya) April 7, 2016
just read about the U/A certificate for Jungle Book.
India never stops amazing me (or in this case, amusing me).— Harini Calamur (@calamur) April 7, 2016
Pahlaj Nihalani has given Jungle Book a U/A certificate. So many naked animals in the jungle must have really upset him.— Ray Ban (@Purba_Ray) April 6, 2016
The film has also been rated PG in the United States and Australia, suggesting parental guidance. However, several people have questioned why the film was given a UA rating, when recent Bollywood films with violent scenes, such as Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and Bajirao Mastani were released with a U certificate.
The Jungle Book releases in India on Apr. 8.