Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine was supposed to open in India this weekend. That is, until a government mandate pushed the eccentric director over the edge.
The Indian government has strict mandates for all films that feature smoking. Not only does the movie have to show an anti-smoking ad before its opening, but anti-tobacco text needs to be inserted in every single scene with a cigarette.
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Allen refused to edit his film, which would have drawn the audience’s eyes to the PSA text rather than the scene, so theatrical chain PVR Cinemas cancelled the release.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo met a similar fate after David Fincher also refused to insert anti-smoking text in his film.