NEW DELHI (AP) - India's film censor authorities have ordered kissing scenes in the latest James Bond movie, "Spectre," be shortened before it is released in the country.
The Central Board of Film Certification has ordered four scenes in the new James Bond film be trimmed, including at least two kisses between the lead actors, Daniel Craig and Monica Belluci.
The decision to reduce the length of the kissing scenes was trending on social media Thursday as Indians mocked the prudishness of film certification authorities.
Earlier this week the film certification board gave "Spectre" a U/A rating suggesting parental discretion for children under 12. The film will be released in theaters today.
Meanwhile, on Twitter, scores of Indians used the satirical hashtag #SanskariJamesBond, or "traditional James Bond" to ridicule the cuts.
"James Bond's women must be feeling so safe now that our Censor Board is there to protect their honor from that creep," said Bollywood director and producer Shirish Kunder in a tweet.
Compared to Hollywood, movie norms in India are extremely strict. Censorship authorities often order filmmakers - both Indian and foreign- to chop scenes deemed offensive. Films with graphic content can be barred completely.
In years past, Indian filmmakers circumvented censors by showing two flowers bending and touching when they wanted to depict a kiss between the hero and heroine.
Public kissing is frowned upon in India's conservative society, and even a peck on the cheek can upset some people.
An arrest warrant was briefly issued for Hollywood star Richard Gere in 2007 after he kissed the cheek of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty at an AIDS awareness rally.