MUMBAI: Blue Jasmine was to release last weekend in India but the hope was denied as director Woody Allen refused to comply with anti-tobacco norms in the country. According to the Indian government rule, anti-tobacco ads are displayed before movies are screened and a text message is inserted while a smoking scene is taking place on screen, for all Indian as well as foreign movies.

The movie was to be released by PVR cinemas. According to a statement made by PVR Pictures COO Deepak Sharma, Allen is said to have told that when the message is shown, the audience’s attention is diverted to it rather than to the scene.

Blue Jasmine is a critically acclaimed movie that stars Cate Blanchett as a wealthy socialite who is struggling to fit into reality once her husband is caught for financial fraud.

Previously, another movie faced release issues - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - due to censor board wanting to delete a few scenes from the movie.