Censor cuts trim erotic scenes from The Housemaid ahead of India release
Indian audiences expecting a racy start to 2026 with The Housemaid will still get the film, but not exactly as seen overseas. The film, which opened in the West on December 19 to praise for its dark subject, shocks and strong performances from Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, has been edited by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for its India release.
What the CBFC asked for
The Examining Committee awarded the film an ‘A’ certificate on December 4 after asking the studio to make specific changes. Among the requirements:
- Certain strong expletives were muted (listed in the committee notes as “b***h”, “c**t” and “motherf****r”).
- “Nudity visuals of women’s breasts…whenever it occurs” were to be deleted, leading to several intimate sequences being cut.
Those cuts amount to roughly eight minutes of footage — a substantial reduction and one of the lengthiest recent trims imposed by censor guidelines.
Key scenes removed (and what remains)
Bollywood Hungama reports that a long, intense lovemaking scene featuring Sydney Sweeney has been excised from the Indian print. Another similar intimate sequence has also been removed. A moment showing Amanda Seyfried using a breast pump was asked to be deleted as well.
Interestingly, a brief shot showing the buttocks of male lead Brandon Sklenar was retained in the Indian version.
Does the story survive the cuts?
Viewers who have seen the censored print say that while some explicit material is gone, the film’s core narrative and its erotic tension remain largely intact. The edits were surgical rather than structural, according to those reports, meaning the plot and thriller elements still come through.
Runtime: how much shorter is the Indian version?
The original international runtime was 131.46 minutes (2 hours, 11 minutes and 46 seconds). After the CBFC-ordered deletions and the mandatory anti-smoking advertisements added at the beginning and after the interval, the Indian duration stands at 125.46 minutes — that is, 2 hours, 5 minutes and 46 seconds.
Plot summary
The Housemaid follows a woman recently released on parole who is desperate for work. She is hired as a housemaid at a palatial home occupied by a wealthy family. The job seems like a fresh start, but the employment slowly reveals dangers and darker motives that put her life at risk.
What this means for Indian viewers
Fans of psychological thrillers and the film’s lead actors will still be able to watch the movie in India, but those expecting the uncensored, explicit version released overseas will notice important intimate scenes are missing. The cuts reflect the CBFC’s current approach to nudity and language, and they continue the larger conversation about how international films are adapted for Indian audiences.