Global Cinema Highlights: Housefull 5 Censorship, Star Leaks, and Hollywood Debuts on May 31, 2025

Major developments across the international film landscape captured headlines on May 31, 2025, with significant updates ranging from regulatory decisions impacting major releases to unprecedented moves towards production transparency and notable international accolades for independent cinema. The day’s news saw a highly anticipated Bollywood sequel receive its censor certificate, a prominent upcoming film face a premature content leak, a acclaimed feature make its script publicly available, an independent production garner international festival recognition, and a popular actress confirm her foray into Hollywood.

Regulatory Approvals and Mandated Changes for “Housefull 5”

In a key development for the Hindi film industry, the upcoming multi-starrer comedy “Housefull 5” has officially received its certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Featuring a prominent ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, and Sanjay Dutt, the film was granted a U/A certificate, indicating it is suitable for unrestricted public exhibition but with a word of caution for children under 12 years. However, this certification came with mandated changes by the censor board.

According to reports, the required modifications included the replacement of specific words deemed potentially objectionable, such as “item” and “haram.” Furthermore, the board ordered the removal of three distinct scenes from the film. An additional suggestive scene reportedly underwent a 2-second reduction in duration. These changes are standard practice by the censor board to ensure content aligns with prevailing guidelines and public sensibilities before the film’s theatrical release, which is currently scheduled for June 6.

Production Privacy Breached: Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday Film Footage Leaked

Separately, a breach of production privacy occurred when a video featuring actors Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday from the set of their upcoming film was leaked online. The footage, which appeared to be raw, unauthorized content from the film’s shoot, quickly circulated across social media platforms, raising concerns about set security and confidentiality within the production.

The film, titled “Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri,” is being directed by Samir Vidwans and produced by acclaimed filmmaker Karan Johar. While the content of the leak itself was not detailed, unauthorized distribution of production footage can potentially impact a film’s marketing strategy and the element of surprise intended for audiences. The movie is slated for a Valentine’s Day release next year, placing the leak well ahead of its scheduled debut.

Promoting Transparency: “12th Fail” Script Released into Public Domain

In a move celebrated by advocates for greater openness in the creative process, the official script of the highly successful film “12th Fail” is being released into the public domain. This decision was made with the stated aim of promoting transparency in filmmaking, offering unprecedented access to the screenplay that formed the foundation of the critically and commercially acclaimed feature.

Making a film’s script publicly available is not a common practice in the industry and represents a significant step towards demystifying the screenwriting process for aspiring filmmakers, students, and the general public. It allows for a detailed analysis of the narrative structure, character development, and dialogue that contributed to the film’s impact, aligning with a broader movement towards open-source resources in various creative fields.

International Acclaim for “Rasavathi” at European Festivals

The independent film “Rasavathi,” directed by Sankumar and starring Arjun Das and Tanya Ravichandran, continues to gain significant traction on the international festival circuit. The movie has garnered five nominations at the prestigious Nice International Film Festival in France, highlighting its appeal to international juries and audiences.

This recent recognition builds upon previous successes for the film and its lead actor. Earlier, Arjun Das was honored with the Best Actor award at the 15th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival, an acknowledgement of his performance in the film. “Rasavathi” also received recognition for its technical achievements, winning the Best Sound Design award at the London International Film Festival 2025. These accolades underscore the film’s quality across various creative and technical departments.

Disha Patani Set for Hollywood Debut in Horror-Action Feature

Adding a touch of global crossover news, popular Bollywood actress Disha Patani is reportedly set to make her debut in Hollywood. The actress is slated to appear in a horror-action movie titled “Holyguards.”

The project is helmed by an acclaimed director who is an Oscar winner, lending significant prestige to Patani’s international foray. While further details regarding her role or the film’s plot remain under wraps, a debut in a Hollywood production, particularly one led by an Oscar-winning filmmaker and within the popular horror-action genre, marks a significant milestone in her career and highlights the increasing global opportunities for Indian talent.

These diverse updates from censorship boards and film sets to international festivals and cross-continental projects provide a snapshot of the dynamic and ever-evolving global cinema landscape as of May 31, 2025.