New Delhi: Anurag Kashyap’s hotly awaited film Kennedy is finally out in India, but not without a fight from the censors. After dazzling crowds at global fests like Cannes in 2023, it faced years of delays.
Now streaming on ZEE5 from February 20, 2026, the neo-noir thriller stars Rahul Bhat as a troubled ex-cop turned hitman. But sensitive names like Dawood Ibrahim and Donald Trump got the chop to pass CBFC muster. Fans are buzzing: Is this art or a compromise?
Film’s long journey
Kennedy premiered at the Cannes Film Festival’s Midnight Screening in 2023, earning praise for its gritty style and Rahul Bhat’s raw performance as Uday Shetty, alias Kennedy. The story follows a cop presumed dead, battling insomnia, drugs, and crime in a corrupt world. It also wowed at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival that year. Despite global buzz, including a spot in Letterboxd’s Video Store lineup in December 2025 (limited to 23 countries, skipping India), a home release stayed elusive till now.
Sunny Leone plays a key role opposite Bhat, adding edge to this 2-hour-28-minute A-rated flick. Kashyap, known for bold films like Gangs of Wasseypur, builds a moody nighttime canvas of violence and redemption.
CBFC’s strict edits
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cleared Kennedy only after major tweaks. Direct references to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim were axed—visuals and the line “Dawood Ibrahim ne 1993 mein” vanished, replaced by “Pakistan Don.” Donald Trump mentions morphed into “Pump Trump.” Abusive words like “motherf***er” got muted in dialogues and subtitles.
Other changes include deleting a 14-second scene, adding anti-smoking warnings, and toning down political and crime nods. According to a Bollywood Hungama report cited across sources, these edits ensured an ‘A’ certificate for OTT release.
Director’s take and fan hype
Anurag Kashyap has stayed mum on the cuts so far, but the film’s festival acclaim hints at its power. Rahul Bhat’s turn as the tormented Kennedy drives the stylish neo-noir, per reviews. With India now catching up, viewers can judge if the changes dilute its punch. Streaming on ZEE5, Kennedy marks a big win for Kashyap amid censor battles—proving bold cinema endures, even edited.
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