Clayface Gets an ‘A’ Certificate in India; CBFC Orders Cuts to Nudity and Violent Scenes
DC’s Clayface, a psychological thriller with elements of R-rated body horror, is set to arrive in Indian cinemas after completing its certification process. The film will hold paid previews on the evening of October 22, ahead of its full theatrical release on Friday, October 23. While the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has cleared the movie for adult audiences with an ‘A’ certificate, it required several edits before granting approval.
The changes involve brief shots of nudity and graphic violence, as well as an adjustment to the film’s subtitles. The certification details offer an early glimpse of the intense material audiences can expect from this darker corner of the DC Universe. Bollywood Hungama has reported the specific modifications made for the Indian release.
What changes did the CBFC request for Clayface?
According to the film’s censor details, the CBFC asked the makers to alter visuals of nudity in two separate scenes. In one instance, a five-second nude shot was removed. In another, the board ordered the removal of 19 seconds of footage. The scenes were then “replaced suitably with appropriate shots,” according to the reported certification notes.
One of the affected sequences features Joana Ribeiro, who plays Mia Torrez. To avoid showing nudity in the revised version, the filmmakers reportedly used a tighter shot focused on another character. This approach preserves the scene’s continuity while keeping the censored material off screen.
The board also asked the makers to “suitably modify” two shots showing a face being smashed. One lasts a second, while the other runs for six seconds. The exact replacement footage has not been detailed, but the edits appear to target the film’s most graphic images rather than its broader story or tone.
Subtitles and on-screen warnings also updated
Beyond the visual edits, the word “motherf****r” was voluntarily removed from the subtitles. The film will also carry static anti-alcohol and anti-drug messages in the bottom-right corner of the screen wherever applicable, in line with the relevant requirements for theatrical exhibition in India.
After these modifications were completed, the CBFC certified Clayface on October 19. The official runtime listed on the certificate is 108.31 minutes—equivalent to one hour, 48 minutes and 31 seconds. That places the film at a compact length for a feature-length superhero thriller, leaving room for a focused story without an extended runtime.
A body-horror story for adult audiences
The ‘A’ certificate is a clear signal that Clayface is intended for adult viewers, rather than younger audiences who may associate the DC name primarily with mainstream superhero adventures. Body horror often relies on unsettling transformations, disturbing imagery and psychological tension, and the film’s certification details suggest that its approach is considerably more graphic than a conventional comic-book action movie.
For Indian moviegoers, the certification also provides useful context before booking tickets. The edits are limited to specific shots, but the adult rating remains in place, meaning the film’s themes and overall intensity have not been recast as family entertainment. Viewers interested in horror, darker comic-book adaptations and character-driven thrillers may find that distinction especially relevant.
The film’s release arrives as studios continue to explore different tones within superhero franchises. Instead of relying only on large-scale battles and familiar heroic spectacle, projects such as Clayface can use horror conventions to examine fear, identity and physical change. That shift may appeal to audiences looking for a more unsettling alternative to the standard superhero formula.
Comparison with Obsession raises questions about adult-film cuts
The changes to Clayface may also revive debate surrounding the certification of films made specifically for adults. A similar discussion followed the 2026 Hollywood sleeper hit Obsession, which also received an ‘A’ certificate in India. Its makers were reportedly asked to remove 38 seconds of material involving extreme violence and graphic sexual activity.
That decision prompted questions from viewers about why scenes in an adults-only film should be altered at all. Some argued that an ‘A’ rating should allow filmmakers greater freedom to present material intended for mature audiences, while others pointed to the CBFC’s role in reviewing content for theatrical release. The discussion reflects a wider tension between creative intent, local certification standards and audience expectations.
Whether the Clayface edits generate a comparable response remains to be seen. The total duration of the reported cuts is brief, but the nature of the material—and the fact that the movie is already restricted to adults—could still draw attention from horror fans and film-industry observers.
What audiences can expect before release
With paid previews scheduled for October 22 and the nationwide release following on October 23, Indian audiences will soon be able to judge how the revised version plays on screen. The certification record confirms that the film retains its adult classification while making targeted adjustments to nudity, violent imagery and language.
For fans tracking the expanding DC Universe, Clayface stands out as a project that leans into psychological unease and horror rather than a conventional superhero template. Its edited scenes may become part of the conversation around the release, but the film’s central appeal will ultimately depend on how effectively it balances character, suspense and body-horror spectacle. As the Bollywood and Hollywood release calendar continues to broaden, this darker DC title is poised to attract viewers seeking something more unsettling than a standard comic-book blockbuster.
