Thaindian News

Toronto, Sep 14 (IANS) The screenings of Shahid Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor starrer “Mausam” at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival has been cancelled due to censor delays in India, the organisers said.

“We are extremely disappointed that the studio has informed us that the film will not have received the necessary regulatory approvals in India, forcing us to cancel all screenings of ‘Mausam’,” Cameron Bailey, co-director of the festival, said in a statement.

“Toronto audiences have been powerful champions for the promotion and growth of Indian cinema abroad and it’s a shame that our festival audiences will be left disappointed.”

The festival was informed Tuesday that the studio, Eros International Media Limited, has a memorandum of understanding in place with the Indian Air Force giving them final approval on the film prior to clearing the Indian censor board. That approval will not be possible prior to Wednesday’s scheduled world premiere screening. As a result, all screenings of the film will be cancelled.

“We are very disappointed not to be able to present the world premiere of ‘Mausam’ in Toronto and accept full responsibility for our absence,” said Sheetal Talwar, producer of the film. “We ran into a delay getting approvals from the Indian Air Force and the Board of Film Certification in India.”

Ram Mirchandani, chief creative officer at Eros International said: “Mr. Pankaj Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor and all of us behind the film send our deepest apologies to our audiences in Toronto.”

Three screening of the film were scheduled and the money of those who purchased tickets for “Mausam” on Visa will be automatically refunded.

For cash and debit purchases, buyers have been asked to take thier ticket(s) to the festival Box Office for a full refund. Tickets redeemed as part of a package become vouchers which can be exchanged for another screening of the same value.