CBFC objects to explicit scenes in The Apprentice

The film is facing trouble with the CBFC as the board has suggested removing nudity and reducing non-consensual sex scenes. The portal quoted a CBFC source as saying, “The cut was not huge. CBFC requested to remove nude scenes wherever they are in the film. This was over a minute long content. The director was disappointed by the CBFC’s request that Trump be shown having sex without consent. [then] Wife Ivana Trump should be cut by 75 percent. The board members also asked the studio to provide the source from where this information was obtained. Abbasi and the studio countered that the scene was inserted for a reason, and not for the purpose of titillation. The filmmaker, through his representatives, stated that shortening the sequence completely ruins its impact. The word ‘Negro’ was also directed to be removed, while drinking and smoking scenes were asked to add standard disclaimers.

The CBFC review was presided over by investigating officer Govind Mishra.

Filmmaker Ali Abbasi’s stance against censorship

According to PVR Inox Pictures, which has partnered with the producers to bring The Apprentice to India, Ali Abbasi is against censorship. A source at the studio said that the film has now been put on hold indefinitely and added, “Cutting the film is something Abbasi stands against morally. We thought we could maybe negotiate and release it a little later, but there’s no chance of that. They believe that these cuts will reduce the impact of their work. He would rather stop the release in India than agree to them.”

about trainee

The Apprentice is a biographical drama film to be released in 2024. It explores Donald Trump’s career as a real estate businessman in New York during the 1970s and 1980s, focusing on his relationship with attorney Roy Cohn. The film is directed by Ali Abbasi and written by Gabriel Sherman. It stars Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump, Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn, Martin Donovan as Fred Trump, and Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump.

The film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2024, but faced challenges in securing US distribution due to its subject matter and efforts by Trump’s legal team to block its release. Eventually, Briarcliff Entertainment acquired the rights and released the film in theaters on October 11, 2024.