Film doesn't make it on the plane due to concerns from the Indian air force.

By Hamutal Dotan

This just in from the festival:

The Toronto International Film Festival received word yesterday 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.

The trouble with Mausam appears to be with a 30 second aerial sequence in the film, showing a fight to which the Indian air force is objecting. The film is directed by longtime actor Pankaj Kapur and was one of TIFF’s more anticipated premieres. TIFF co-director Cameron Bailey expressed his “extreme disappointment” over the cancellation in a press release issued a few minutes ago. All tickets that customers have purchased for Mausam screenings will be refunded.