Oppenheimer Sex and Smoking Scenes Censored in India With CG Black Dresses and ‘Smoking Kills’ Signs

Spoiler Warning: The following article features very mild spoilers for Oppenheimer, discussing several scenes scattered throughout the film.

Oppenheimer has found great success in teaming up with Barbie to revive the box office, but viewers in some countries are noticing major differences with Christopher Nolan’s new biopic.

The differences appear to be especially acute in India. While the runtime remains the same, some scenes have experienced major alterations based on a report by IGN India, particularly the film’s sex and smoking scenes.

One notable change in the film involvs Jean Tatlock, played by Florence Pugh. The scene in question involves Pugh’s character talking to Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer, with both sitting naked in a chair across from each other. The scene has been altered to depict Pugh’s character wearing a black dress.

The scene has also been highlighted by users on Twitter, which was recently renamed “X” by owner Elon Musk.

Other reported changes in India include Pugh’s back reportedly being censored. A “smoking kills” badge is also displayed onscreen when a character is seen smoking a cigarette. In general, fans seem to be a mix of unhappy and confused by the changes.

India isn’t the only country to censor Oppenheimer. The scene with Pugh sitting naked has reportedly also been censored in a similar fashion in other regions across the world, including Pakistan and Indonesia.

Christopher Nolan reportedly opted to censor Oppenheimer

IGN India reports that the film “opted for self-censorship” by Nolan to ensure it received a “UA” rating from India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). According to the CBFC’s website, a UA means that everyone can watch the film, but children under the age of 12 are required to be accompanied by a parent.

The CBFC’s FAQ page notes that films with “A” and UA” certificates mean films with those ratings contain “adult-oriented” themes. Interestingly, IGN India reported that Oppenheimer’s CBFC rating got changed from an “A” to a “UA” days before its theatrical release in India. 

IGN has reached out to Nolan’s representatives for comment.

Released July 21, Oppenheimer features the famed nuclear physicist of the same as he wrestles with the consequences of inventing the atomic bomb. We described it as “jolting thriller” in our review, calling it “a disturbing, mesmerizing vision of what humanity is capable of bringing upon itself, both through its innovation, and through its capacity to justify any atrocity.”

Oppenheimer is one part of the so-called “Barbenheimer” phenomenon that has swept the country, which has been embraced by both Nolan and star Cillian Murphy. The trend has helped propel Barbie to the best domestic box office opening day of 2023.

So while it may be getting censored in some countries, it seems to be getting plenty of traction regardless. As for whether it’s historically accurate, you can read more in our Oppenheimer ending explained.

Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.