The Apprentice release stalled in India by the Censor board for this reason
Sebastian Stan in The Apprentice
Ali Abbasi's film on former United States President Donald Trump, The Apprentice, has not hit the Indian theatres as per schedule. The film has been making a lot of noise because it highlights Trump's early years and his rise as a real estate mogul in the US.
The film has been dissed by Trump and has not been given clearance from the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) in India. The censor board has reportedlysuggested cuts to several explicit scenes in the biographical drama.
CBFC raises objections on explicit scenes in The Apprentice
The CBFC has raised objections over certain explicit scenes involving nudity and a non-consensual sex scene.A report in the Mid-Day quoted a source close to CBFC saying, “The cuts weren’t drastic. The CBFC requested for the deletion of nude scenes wherever they appear in the film. This was more than a minute-long content. What upset the director was the CBFC’s request that the scene, which depicts Trump having non-consensual sex with [then] wife Ivana Trump, be reduced by 75 per cent. The board members also asked the studio to provide the source from where this information has been obtained. Abbasi and the studio countered that the scene has been put for a reason and not with the objective of titillation. The filmmaker, through his representatives, made it known that reducing the sequence takes away its impact altogether.
The word ‘Negro’ was also instructed to be dropped, while the standard disclaimers in drinking and smoking scenes were asked to be added.”
Filmmaker Ali Abbasi's stand against censorship
According to PVR Inox Pictures, who has partnered with the producers to bring The Apprentice to India, Ali Abbasi is against censorship. Since the makers are not willing to make the cuts, the film may never see a release in India.
“Making cuts to the film is something Abbasi ethically stands against. We thought we could probably negotiate and release it a little later, but there is no scope for it. He believes that these cuts would diminish the impact of his work. He would rather halt the India release than agree to them," said a source close to PVR.
Abbasi took to X to express disappointment over the show of The Apprentice in India.
"I dont know what the hell is wrong with these people! I ran away from Iranian censorship only to meet corporate censorship of US. Now India! Really? Censorship seems to be an epidemic at the moment. We need a VACCINE!"
About The Apprentice
TheApprenticeisa biographical drama film that explores Donald Trump's career as a real estate businessman in New York during the 1970s and 1980s, focusing on his relationship with lawyer Roy Cohn – often considered his mentor in the early years.
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 American distribution due to its subject matter. Trump has slammed the film and his legal team has made efforts to block its release. Eventually, Briarcliff Entertainment acquired the rights and released the film in theatres on October 11, 2024.
WION's review of The Apprentice
In her review, WION's Shomini Sen wrote, "Sherman's writing and Abbasi's deft writing is brilliantly supported by great performances by Stan and Strong. Stan gets Trump's mannerisms, the slight lisp, the facial twitches to the T. Initially as a young businessman, you can't seem to identify with Stan's Trump but in the second half, you see the uncanny similarities.
The film, however, belongs to Strong. You can't take your eyes off the actor who makes Roy such an intriguing character. With a constant deadpan expression and some witty lines, Strong's Roy Cohn is a performance that will be remembered for a long long time." Click here to read more!
