Woody Allen Pulls ‘Blue Jasmine’ From Theaters In India

Woody Allen recently pulled his new film Blue Jasmine from theaters in India.

Since the country has a strict policy against tobacco products in movies and television, officials wanted to place an anti-smoking message over scenes in the director’s latest film. Instead of agreeing to the changes, Allen decided to pull the flick from theaters.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, PVR Cinemas had no choice but to cancel the film’s release. The acclaimed director has the final word regarding Blue Jasmine and anything involving its theatrical release in the country.

“Woody Allen has 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. He feels that when the [text] comes, attention goes to it rather than the scene,” the company said in a recent statement.

Sources told Reuters that Allen wasn’t happy about the proposed changes to Blue Jasmine. Instead of bending to the country’s anti-smoking policies, the director opted to cancel the film’s release.

“Allen was adamant that he wanted the film to be shown as he had made it, without any additions to the print,” the insider told the news outlet.

Although the filmmaker hasn’t officially commented on situation, a representative for his publicists confirmed that Blue Jasmine won’t screen in India due to the changes PVR Cinemas wanted to make.

Worst Previews explains that anti-smoking policies in India require theaters to show ads depicting the hazards of tobacco use. Because foreign films are subject to the same rules and regulations, Woody Allen’s new movie would have to screen the ad as well.

The director’s latest effort has performed very well in the US following its release earlier this year. According to Box Office Mojo, the film has earned approximately $31 million. The flick’s worldwide total is currently perched at $49 million.

What do you think about Woody Allen canceling the release of Blue Jasmine in India?

[Image via cinemafestival / Shutterstock.com]