Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine" won't screen in India theaters because Allen refused to allow the country's Ministry of Health to show an anti-smoking advertisement onscreen every time one of the film's characters lit up a cigarette. The decision to yank the film was made by Allen himself.
"Allen has the creative control as per the agreement. He wasn't comfortable with the disclaimer that we are required to run when some smoking scene is shown in films," Deepak Sharma, COO of PVR Pictures told DNA News. "He feels that when the scroll comes, attention goes to it rather than the scene."
Speaking to Reuters, a representative for Allen confirmed that the 77-year-old director was unhappy with the idea of anything being added to the final cut of "Blue Jasmine."
“Allen was adamant that he wanted the film to be shown as he had made it, without any additions to the print," the rep said. “Due to content in the film, it cannot be shown in India in its intended manner. Therefore, the film is not scheduled to play there."
"Blue Jasmine" stars Cate Blanchett, Sally Hawkins, Alec Baldwin, Andrew Dice Clay, Bobby Cannavale and Louis C.K. Allen's film has earned $49 million worldwide since its release in June.
[via THR]
