Pankaj Kapoor: IAF asked for minor changes in Mausam

The director of Mausam defends his film and explains why the release has been postponed by a week.

Pankaj Kapoor's Mausam was recently in news for being denied a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the IAF ( Indian Air Force). Following the denial Mausam was shown to the IAF that granted the film a conditional NOC asking for a change of 30 seconds in the film. The makers of the film accepted the condition and have carried out the required changes.

While briefing a press conference director Pankaj Kapur revealed, "The IAF didn't ask us to remove anything, they only asked for minor changes, these were computer graphic changes to be made in an action sequence in the film which we have incorporated. It is our duty to make sure that all the representation is done authentically and in accordance with IAF. I thank them, they have been very supportive".

On being asked if the changes in the fight sequence indicate the alteration of content in anyway, Pankaj was quick to respond, "The content of the film in terms of the fight sequence has not changed, the story telling is the same, only tiny details are slightly altered as per the IAF's requirements".

Mausam received the Censor Certificate three days ago but to the filmmakers' surprise the Censor Board asked for a review of the film. Following which the film received a 'U' certificate last night.

Makers of the film mentioned due to the above reasons they could not release the film on Sept. 16 as they would not have been able to meet the overseas date of release. Now, September 23 is locked as the release date for Mausam .

Shahid who plays the lead in Mausam said, "The release date has been shifted to September 23. we needed a NOC from IAF and Censor Certificate. We got a 'U' certificate and then the board wanted to see the film once again. This consumed a lot of time delaying the release date. We have made the requisite changes in the particular 30 seconds scene. It was very important to announce this. Our team believes in our film and we feel that it is as authentic as it could be. We want to bring the best for our audiences".

Sonam who plays the lead opposite Shahid stated, "We all have worked hard and I think we can promote it more for a week. Mausam will definitely be enjoyed by all".

Mausam's team also mentioned they would love to show the film to IAF as all changes asked for by them have already been carried out, this would be a mere formality which would not affect the release of the film on September 23.

Ex IAF officer kills self

A dismissed flying officer of Indian Air Force, Anjali Gupta, 35, committed suicide in Bhopal. She was staying with a family in the Shahpura locality. Few years back, Anjali had created ripples in the IAF when she had leveled allegations of sexual harassment against her superiors.

Investigating officer GS Jagait told TOI that Anjali had come to Bhopal on September 7 and had stayed with Group Captain Amit Gupta. A resident of Bhopal, Gupta is posted in Nagpur.

The next day Gupta had left for Delhi for the engagement of his son and Anjali was alone in the house in Bhopal. She used a dupatta to hang herself from ceiling fan of her room, he informed.

Anjali, who was dismissed from the Air Force after a general court marshal proved charges against her, was doing a private job in Bangalore, Superintendent of Police Rajesh Singh Bhadoria said adding, she was on way to the city when she broke her journey in Bhopal to stay for a day with Amit Gupta.

Police said that Amit and his family had returned Bhopal on September 10 night and when they reached home, she did not open the door. Thinking that she might be sleeping, they spent the night in a relative's home in Arera Colony locality. Next morning when she did not open the door, Amit called up police.

"We had to broke open the door as it was locked from inside only to find her hanging from the ceiling fan," the investigating officer informed.

A general court martial of the Indian Air Force in 2005 had found Anjali guilty on five counts, including those of indiscipline, insubordination, and financial irregularity, and recommended that she be cashiered - dishonorably discharged - from service.

Upholding the ruling of the court martial, the then Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi issued an executive order terminating her service.

However, the then Air Chief in his order had reduced her sentence from "cashiering to mere dismissal". On being cashiered, an armed forces officer is stripped of his/her rank.

Anjali's body has been sent for post mortem and the police are further investigating the case.