'Fifty Shades of Grey' fails to get censor clearance in India

New Delhi, Mar 5: Erotic romance 'Fifty Shades of Grey' has failed to get a clearance for release from the censor board in India.

The producers Universal Pictures have the option to appeal the decision, Shravan Kumar, the chief executive of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), said today.

Kumar said that the producers first approached them in January but then they rescheduled the examination twice, citing unavailability of content.

"It is out of the way for us because certification happens on first-come-first-serve basis. We finally viewed the film for examination on February 28 and the committee compiled its report and sent it to them. Their reply is awaited," Kumar told PTI over phone from Mumbai.

When asked whether it was cleared or not, Kumar said, "It did not pass but it is not unusual as many mainstream films don't get clearance in the first step, people have the option to go for a revising committee's opinion. The theme of the movie is such that it could not be cleared in the first viewing. In the second step a wider committee will review the film."

Universal India declined to comment when approached. The movie, an adaptation of EL James' S&M themed novel trilogy, stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.

Released during the Valentine's day weekend in the US and other countries, the film has done exceptionally well at the box office, despite mixed reviews. But it has failed to get a release in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.

PTI