The upcoming romantic drama Chand Mera Dil, starring Ananya Panday and Lakshya, has officially received a U/A 16+ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification after undergoing multiple edits during the censor process. The development comes just days before the film’s theatrical release on May 22, placing the movie at the centre of conversation across entertainment circles and social media alike.
The certification process has drawn widespread attention after reports revealed that the CBFC instructed the makers to either shorten or remove several intimate scenes from the film. Nearly 96 seconds of kissing footage was reportedly modified before approval was granted. While censorship-related changes are not uncommon in mainstream Hindi cinema, the discussion around Chand Mera Dil has intensified because of the film’s positioning as an emotionally charged modern romance backed heavily by music and youthful chemistry.
Directed by Vivek Soni and produced under the banner of Dharma Productions, the film has already built strong anticipation among younger audiences, particularly after the release of its trailer and soundtrack teasers.
Chand Mera Dil U/A 16+ Certificate Granted After Major Scene Edits
According to reports linked to the certification process, the CBFC sought two specific changes before issuing the final clearance certificate. One kissing sequence lasting around 10 seconds was reportedly replaced with alternate visuals, while another extended lip-lock sequence, said to run for approximately one minute and 26 seconds, was removed altogether.
The cumulative cuts amounted to nearly 96 seconds of altered footage. In addition to the edits involving intimate scenes, the board also reportedly requested consent documentation for child artists featured in the film before the certification process could be completed.
After these modifications were carried out, the film was granted a U/A 16+ certificate on May 8. The approved runtime now stands at 2 hours, 15 minutes and 36 seconds.
Romantic Musical Drama Draws Comparisons to Earlier Bollywood Classics
Even before the censor-related headlines emerged, Chand Mera Dil had already begun attracting attention for its emotional tone and music-driven storytelling. Many entertainment observers have described the film as an attempt to bring back the kind of intense romantic drama that once defined mainstream Bollywood cinema.
The film’s atmosphere and emotional pitch have drawn comparisons to films such as Rockstar and Aashiqui 2, both of which blended romance, heartbreak and music into commercially successful narratives. While Chand Mera Dil appears to follow its own contemporary story arc, the emotional texture presented in promotional material has reminded audiences of that earlier era of music-led love stories.
The trailer introduces Lakshya as Aarav and Ananya Panday as Chandni, tracing a relationship that moves from youthful romance into emotionally turbulent territory. Rather than relying on spectacle or large-scale action, the film appears to focus on emotional vulnerability, longing, separation and personal conflict, all supported by a soundtrack that producers are positioning as one of the film’s strongest assets.
Advance Bookings Open Ahead of Release
With the release date approaching, the makers have also moved aggressively on the promotional front. Advance bookings for the film officially opened on May 18, accompanied by a pricing strategy designed to encourage stronger turnout among younger cinemagoers during the opening weekend.
Tickets for shows scheduled before 5 pm on release day have reportedly been priced at ₹149, while evening shows are being offered at ₹199 across standard seating categories. Trade analysts believe the pricing approach reflects an attempt to create strong initial occupancy through affordability, particularly in urban multiplex markets where romantic dramas often rely heavily on youth audiences and word-of-mouth momentum.
The timing of the censorship discussion has also inadvertently added to the film’s visibility online, with conversations around the cuts helping keep the movie in entertainment headlines ahead of release.
Dharma Productions Bets on Emotion-Driven Storytelling Again
The film is produced by Karan Johar alongside Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra, Hiroo Yash Johar and Marijke deSouza. For Dharma Productions, Chand Mera Dil represents another attempt to reconnect with audiences through emotionally grounded storytelling centred on romance and music.
Director Vivek Soni, who previously helmed Meenakshi Sundareshwar, appears to be leaning into a softer and more emotionally layered narrative style here. Industry discussions surrounding the project suggest that its success may ultimately depend less on scale and more on whether audiences emotionally connect with the performances, songs and overall mood of the story.
At a time when action franchises and large-scale spectacle films continue to dominate the Hindi box office, Chand Mera Dil arrives as a comparatively intimate romantic drama aiming to revive the emotional pull associated with classic Bollywood love stories.
Music, Emotion and Controversy Keep Film in Headlines
The conversation surrounding Chand Mera Dil now sits at the intersection of romance, music and censorship debate. While the CBFC cuts have certainly generated additional publicity, much of the film’s pre-release appeal still revolves around whether it can genuinely recreate the emotional intensity audiences once associated with Bollywood’s most memorable musical romances.
The coming days will determine whether the film’s soundtrack, performances and emotional storytelling translate into box office success. For now, however, the combination of censor-related controversy, strong promotional buzz and comparisons to beloved romantic dramas has ensured that Chand Mera Dil remains firmly in the spotlight ahead of its theatrical release.
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