The thriller starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson received an ‘A’ rating, but the board ordered a short intimate cut before its October 2 launch.
India’s film certification board has asked the makers of Verity to shave off a brief, 23‑second portion of the movie’s most talked‑about make‑out moment. The decision came as part of the board’s routine clearance process, which wrapped up on September 29.
The board, which handed the film an ‘A’ certificate, also required a static anti‑smoking and anti‑alcohol disclaimer to appear over any scene showing characters lighting up or drinking. In addition, any visual of an e‑cigarette had to be removed and a pharmaceutical brand name was blurred out.
The most noticeable edit, however, concerns the chemistry between Hathaway and co‑star Dakota Johnson. Sources close to the production say the excised footage comes from the climactic kiss that has already sparked a flurry of social‑media chatter. While the cut is relatively short, it trims the explicitness that the board deemed unsuitable for an adult‑only rating.
Verity follows a struggling writer, played by Josh Hartnett, who is tasked with completing a bestseller after its author falls into a coma. The narrative weaves together literary intrigue and a simmering romance, which is why the board’s focus on the intimate segment has drawn extra attention.
The film’s release plan remains unchanged. Paid screenings are slated for the evening of October 1, with the full theatrical rollout set for October 2 across major Indian multiplexes. The trimmed version will be the one audiences see, as the certification certificate now reflects the revised runtime of 118 minutes and 41 seconds.
Industry observers note that such cuts are not unusual for adult‑rated titles, but the specific focus on a high‑profile Hollywood pairing is generating buzz. Fans of Hathaway and Johnson have already taken to Twitter, sharing clips of the original footage and debating whether the edit dilutes the chemistry.
For the production house, the timing is crucial. With a crowded October slate that includes several big‑budget releases, any negative word‑of‑mouth could affect opening‑day footfall. Yet the star power of Hathaway, fresh off a string of successful sequels, and Johnson’s own fanbase may offset any disappointment.
The board’s decision points to its continued vigilance over on‑screen intimacy, even in films aimed at an adult demographic. As the clock ticks toward the October 2 premiere, the final version of Verity will be the one that critics and audiences alike will judge.
What’s next? The trimmed cut will hit theatres on October 2, and the first reviews are expected to roll out the following day. Whether the edit will sway critics remains to be seen, but the conversation around it is already heating up.
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